Attachment A - Proposed CC Resolution - CEQA and MMRP — Pleasant Hill City Council, May 18, 2023 (part 2 of 3)

Other Adverse Emissions
Threshold: Would the Project result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, p. 3.2-43 – 3.2-44) Explanation:

Construction
Implementation of the 2040 General Plan would generate oil and diesel fuel odors during construction from equipment use as well as odors related to asphalt paving. The odors would be limited to the construction period and would be temporary. Therefore, odors emitted from the construction of individual future projects under the 2040 General Plan would be less than significant.

Operation
As stated in the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines, land uses typically producing objectionable odors include agricultural uses, wastewater treatment plants, Findings

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food manufacturing plants, chemical plants, composting, refineries, landfills, and confined animal facilities. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would include residential, commercial and retail, office, semi-public and institutional, and light industrial development. These land uses typically do not produce objectionable odors. In addition, it is not anticipated that the 2040 General Plan would add land uses that would have the potential to expose sensitive receptors, such as residences, to odors.

However, certain commercial and industrial uses would have the potential to generate nuisance odors. Other odors from development of the 2040 General Plan include odor emissions that would be limited to odors associated with vehicle and engine exhaust and idling; however, odors from vehicles are not stationary and are dispersed throughout the roadway network. Therefore, individual projects under the plan could generate potentially significant objectionable odors unless analyzed and mitigated.

However, implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-6, which requires the evaluation of land uses and development projects near land uses that typically generate odors, would reduce this impact to less than significant.

Therefore, 2040 General Plan impacts related to operational odor impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure AQ-6: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Reduce Operational Odor Impacts To reduce odor impacts associated with development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, the City shall adopt the following General Plan Policy to be implemented as part of the project approval process:

New Policy: Odor Impacts. Consider odor impacts when
evaluating land uses and development projects near wastewater treatment plants, treatment plant expansion projects, waste transfer stations, and other odor potential sources per the latest BAAQMD screening distances and guidelines.

C. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

1. Sensitive Species
Threshold: Would the Project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.3-22 – 3.3-27) Findings

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Explanation:

Construction
As indicated above in Error! Reference source not found., most of the General Plan area is developed and does not provide habitat for the specialstatus species reported or known to occur in or near to Pleasant Hill. Areas that may provide habitat for special-status species are primarily located in the open space and undeveloped areas of the General Plan area including local parks and in riparian areas along creeks and drainages within Pleasant Hill.

As shown in Tables B-1 and B-2 in Appendix B, special-status wildlife species with the potential to occur in and near the General Plan area include, for example, California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Alameda whipsnake, and special-status raptors including Coopers hawk and northern harrier. Generally, these species are associated with waterways and riparian habitats along creeks and riverine features as well as open space.

As such special-status species would most likely be found at the northwestern limit of the General Plan area in Paso Nogal Park, and in riparian habitats along Grayson Creek and other drainages. Additionally, the western extent of the General Plan area is immediately adjacent to federally designated critical habitat for California red-legged frog and Alameda whipsnake in the Briones Regional Park open space. Specialstatus plant species with the potential to occur in the General Plan area include, for example, Mt. Diablo fairy-lantern, Diablo helianthella, bentflowered fiddleneck, big tarplant, and Condon’s tarplant. These species would be expected to occur within open space areas of Paso Nogal Park and at the western edge of the General Plan area that shares connectivity with Briones Regional Park within vegetative habitat.

Areas of blue oak and valley oak woodlands would likely qualify as sensitive natural communities occurring within the General Plan area.

Additionally, riparian habitat occurs along Grayson Creek, Murderer’s Creek, Walnut Creek, and other drainages in the General Plan area.

The 2040 General Plan would facilitate infill development and development within Pleasant Hill. These areas are currently developed with residential and non-residential uses and do not provide habitat suitable for specialstatus species described above. The 2040 General Plan designates the existing Paso Nogal Park, and riparian areas along Walnut Creek and several drainages throughout the General Plan area as Park and Open Space land uses. This land use designation would prevent substantial development of the habitat that these open space, riparian habitats, and areas of natural vegetation communities.

The 2040 General Plan would not include changes to existing Park and Findings

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Open Space land use designations, including along creeks and waterways in the General Plan area. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan would not facilitate permanent development in riparian vegetation along these creeks and drainages. Because the development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would occur as development and infill within existing developed areas, existing roads, water, and sewer are already in place and would minimize the need for construction of new utilities and infrastructure. However, the 2040 General Plan increases the allowable density that could be constructed on some infill and development sites within the General Plan area, which could require upgraded utilities. The construction of these upgraded facilities could require work within riparian vegetation along creeks and drainages in the General Plan area, resulting in potential temporary riparian and aquatic habitat impacts. These habitats could support several specialstatus species, such as California red-legged frog and/or California tiger salamander. Additionally, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan could impact isolated trees and pockets of vegetation in the urbanized areas of the General Plan area. These trees and isolated pockets could provide habitat for special-status species, including migratory nesting birds.

The development facilitated under the 2040 General Plan would be subject to the provisions of the various federal and State natural resources regulations and their respective permitting processes. Additionally, the 2040 General Plan contains goals and policies that call for the preservation and protection of natural resources and the managed production of natural resources. These goals and policies, listed below, would reduce impacts to special-status species and their habitats.

Goal ENV-4 Protect and preserve natural habitat, plants, and wildlife Policy ENV-4.1 Minimize Development Impacts. Require new development and construction activities to minimize impacts and disturbances on plants and animals, including sensitive habitat and migration corridors, landforms, and trees.

Policy ENV-4.2 Natural Habitat Protection. Preserve, protect, and improve remaining natural habitats, sensitive habitats for special status species, waterways, and wetlands.

Policy ENV-4.4 Biological Resources Assessment. Require that applicants for development projects proposed to be in or adjacent to critical habitat areas to complete a site-specific biological resources assessment as part of the development review process and modify designs or add mitigations to reduce potential impacts.

Policy ENV-4.5 Special Status Species Protection. Cooperate with State and Federal agencies to ensure that new development does not substantially affect any special status species on State or Federal rare, endangered, or threatened species lists.

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The policies listed above would prevent loss of special-status wildlife habitat in the open space areas throughout the General Plan area. Policies ENV-4.1 and ENV-4.2 would require new development to minimize impacts to sensitive biological resources and protect sensitive habitats for special-status species. Policy ENV-4.2 would specifically require preservation, protection and improvement of all habitats for special-status species as defined above under Section 3.3.1, Environmental Setting, which includes species listed under the ESA and CESA, plants listed as rare by CDFW, animals designated as “Species of Special Concern,” “Fully Protected,” or “Watch List” by CDFW, and plants ranked as CRPR 1 or 2.

Policy ENV-4.4 would require applicants for development projects near critical habitats to complete a site-specific biological resources assessment that analyzes the impacts of the project to all special-status species and their habitats and provides mitigation to reduce those potential impacts.

Additionally, Policy ENV-4.5 requires new development to cooperate with State and federal agencies to ensure that rare, endangered, or threatened species are not substantially affected by project activities. These requirements for special-status habitat and species protection as well as biological resources assessments prior to the approval of new development within the General Plan area would ensure that potential special-status species that could be impacted by future development would be identified and potential impacts would be reduced or avoided. Therefore, implementation of these policies would avoid potential direct impacts to sensitive species identified above under Section 3.3.1.d.

While the policies above would prevent impacts to large tracts of open space that provide habitat for special-status species, as with most urbanized environments, landscape features within the urbanized areas of Pleasant Hill, such as trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and parklands, could serve as temporary habitats for nesting migratory birds. Migratory bird species may use the General Plan area for nesting during the breeding season and are protected under the California Fish and Game Code and MBTA.

Construction-related activities such as vegetation removal, building demolition and/or relocation, grading, materials laydown, access, and infrastructure improvements, and building construction, could result in the disturbance of nesting migratory birds. The most identifiable potential direct impact to migratory bird species would involve the removal of vegetation, particularly trees and landscaping shrubs that may serve as perching or nesting sites for migratory birds. These adverse effects on listed or special-status bird species would represent a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 (conduct pre-construction bird surveys and implement avoidance measures prior to removal) would be required for future projects where mature trees and other habitat are present and construction activities are scheduled from early spring to late summer.

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Special-status bats such as pallid bat, Townsend’s big-eared bat, and big free-tailed bat are State SSCs and have potential to occur within the General Plan area. Pallid bats are found in grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests, and may roost in trees or buildings. Townsend’s big-eared bat and big free-tailed bats are found in a wide variety of habitats and may roost in abandoned buildings or large trees. Bats prefer open areas or areas under a tree canopy for foraging, and often roost near water. Although the General Plan area is primarily developed, large trees, abandoned structures, and buildings in Pleasant Hill provide suitable roosting habitat for special-status bat species. Disturbance of maternity roosts by construction activities resulting in roost destruction or abandonment would be a potentially significant impact to bat species and would potentially constitute violations of the California Fish and Game Code. Such adverse effects on specialstatus bats would be a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2 (conduct pre-construction roosting bat surveys and implement avoidance measures prior to removal) would be required for future 2040 General Plan projects where trees, abandoned structures, or other habitat for roosting bats is present and construction activities may occur during seasonal periods of bat activity.

Therefore, 2040 General Plan construction impacts related to special-status species would be less than significant with mitigation.

Operation
Given that potential impacts to special-status species would occur during construction either directly or indirectly related to habitat modification, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to biological resources.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure BIO-1 Add a General Plan Program to Conduct Pre-construction Bird Surveys and Implement Avoidance and Minimization Measures
The City shall add a 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program to include the following requirements for nesting bird surveys, avoidance, and minimization measures:

For construction activities initiated during the bird nesting season (February 1 – September 15) involving removal of vegetation that could potentially serve as habitat for special-status bird species or other nesting bird habitat, including abandoned structures and other man-made features, a preconstruction nesting bird survey shall be conducted no more than 14 days prior to initiation of ground disturbance and vegetation removal activities.

The nesting bird pre-construction survey shall be conducted on foot and shall include a buffer around the construction site at a distance determined Findings

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by a qualified biologist. The survey shall be conducted by a biologist familiar with the identification of avian species known to occur in California Bay Area communities (i.e., qualified biologist). If nests are found, an avoidance buffer shall be determined by a qualified biologist dependent upon the species, the proposed work activity, and existing disturbances associated with land uses outside of the site. The buffer shall be demarcated by the biologist with bright orange construction fencing, flagging, construction lathe, or other means to demarcate the boundary. All construction personnel shall be notified as to the existence of the buffer zone and to avoid entering the buffer zone during the nesting season. No ground disturbing activities shall occur within the buffer until the biologist has confirmed that breeding/nesting is completed, and the young have fledged the nest. Encroachment into the buffer shall occur only at the discretion of the qualified biologist on the basis that the encroachment will not be detrimental to an active nest. A report summarizing the pre-construction survey(s) shall be prepared by a qualified biologist and shall be submitted to the City prior to the commencement of construction activities.

Future project site plans shall include a statement acknowledging compliance with the federal MBTA and California Fish and Game Code that includes avoidance of active bird nests and identification of Best Management Practices to avoid impacts to active nests, including checking for nests prior to construction activities during February 1 to September 15 and what to do if an active nest is found so that the nest is not inadvertently impacted during grading or construction activities.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2 Add a General Plan Program to Conduct Pre-construction Roosting Bats Surveys and Implement Avoidance Measures Prior to Removal
The City shall add a 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program to include the following requirements for roosting bat surveys and avoidance measures prior to removal:

Prior to the removal or alteration of trees and structures that may serve as roosting habitat for special-status bat species, a qualified biologist shall conduct a focused survey of all trees and structures to be removed or impacted by construction activities to determine whether active roosts of special-status bats are present on site. Tree or structure removal shall be planned for either the spring or the fall and timed to ensure both suitable conditions for the detection of bats and adequate time for tree and/or structure removal to occur during seasonal periods of bat activity exclusive of the breeding season, as described below. Trees and/or structures containing suitable potential bat roost habitat features shall be clearly marked or identified. If no bat roosts are found, the results of the survey will be documented and submitted to the City within 30 days of the survey, after which no further action will be required.

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If day roosts are present, the biologist shall prepare a site-specific roosting bat protection plan to be implemented by the contractor following the City’s approval. The plan shall incorporate the following guidance as appropriate:

When possible, removal of trees/structures identified as suitable roosting habitat shall be conducted during seasonal periods of bat activity, including the following:
a) Between September 1 and about October 15, or before
evening temperatures fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit
and/or more than 0.5 inch of rainfall within 24 hours
occurs.
b) Between March 1 and April 15, or after evening
temperatures rise above 45 degrees Fahrenheit and/or no more than 0.5 inch of rainfall within 24 hours occurs.

If a tree /structure must be removed during the breeding season and is identified as potentially containing a colonial maternity roost, then a qualified biologist shall conduct acoustic emergence surveys or implement other appropriate methods to further evaluate if the roost is an active maternity roost. Under the biologist’s guidance, the contractor shall implement measures that consist of (or exceed) the following:
a) If it is determined that the roost is not an active maternity roost, then the roost may be removed in accordance with the other requirements of this measure.
b) If it is found that an active maternity roost of a colonial roosting species is present, the roost shall not be
disturbed during the breeding season (April 15 to August 31).
 Tree removal procedures shall be implemented using a two-step tree removal process. This method is conducted over two consecutive days and works by creating noise and vibration by cutting nonhabitat branches and limbs from habitat trees using chainsaws only (no excavators or other heavy machinery) on day one. The noise and vibration disturbance, together with the visible alteration of the tree, is very effective in causing bats that emerge nightly to feed to not return to the roost that night. The remainder of the tree is removed on day two.
 Prior to the demolition of vacant structures within the project site, a qualified biologist shall conduct a focused habitat assessment of all structures to be demolished. The habitat assessment shall be conducted enough in advance to ensure the commencement of Findings

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building demolition can be scheduled during seasonal periods of bat activity (see above), if required. If no signs of day roosting activity are observed, no further actions will be required. If bats or signs of day roosting by bats are observed, a qualified biologist will prepare specific recommendations such as partial dismantling to cause bats to abandon the roost, or humane eviction, both to be conducted during seasonal periods of bat activity, if required.
 If the qualified biologist determines a roost is used by a large number of bats (large hibernaculum), bat boxes shall be installed near the project site. The number of bat boxes installed will depend on the size of the hibernaculum and shall be determined through consultation with CDFW. If a maternity colony has become established, all construction activities shall be postponed within a 500-foot buffer around the maternity colony until it is determined by a qualified biologist that the young have dispersed. Once it has been determined that the roost is clear of bats, the roost shall be removed immediately.

D. CULTURAL RESOURCES

1. Archaeological Resources
Threshold: Would the Project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, section 15064.5?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.4-22 – 3.4-25) Explanation:

Construction
It is presumed that archaeological resources that are eligible for inclusion in the NRHP or CRHR exist throughout Pleasant Hill (i.e., the General Plan area). Effects on archaeological resources are only known once a specific development has been proposed because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual development site conditions and the characteristics of the proposed ground‐disturbing activity. Ground-disturbing activities associated with development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, particularly in areas that have not been studied through a cultural resources investigation, or when excavation depths exceed those previously attained, have the potential to damage or destroy previously-unknown historic or prehistoric archaeological resources that may be present on or below the ground surface. Impacts to archaeological resources are especially likely in instances where ground disturbance will occur in native soils, in historicage fill of unknown origin, and in areas that were developed prior to the Findings

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implementation of a Citywide sewer system and trash collection service.

Consequently, damage to or destruction of cultural resources could occur as a result of development under the proposed 2040 General Plan. In order to ensure that development within Pleasant Hill does not have a detrimental effect on archaeological resources, each future project would need to be assessed once the project location and design concept is available.

Although there are no specific development projects associated with the 2040 General Plan, implementation of the plan would guide development in Pleasant Hill through the year 2040. New residential, commercial, office, institutional, and industrial land uses would be implemented via new development and the conversion of existing properties to new uses.

Potential future development occurring under the 2040 General Plan may include site preparation, demolition and construction activities.

Proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-5 and its associated policies , listed below, would reduce potential impacts related to archaeological resources, whether prehistoric or historic in nature.

Goal ENV-5 Protect cultural and tribal resources.

Policy ENV-5.1 Construction Monitoring. Require new development to monitor grading, ground-disturbing, and other major earth-moving construction activities by a qualified professional during construction in previously undisturbed areas or those with known archaeological resources.

Policy ENV-5.3 Cultural Resources Treatment. Ensure that treatment of any cultural resources discovered during site grading complies with State guidelines.

In addition, the following proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element implementation programs would reduce potential impacts related to archaeological resources, which can include Native American resources:

Implementation Program: Tribal Construction Monitors. Require tribal monitor(s) during all activities in areas with cultural resources of interest to local Native American tribes. Both monitors shall observe grading, grounddisturbing, and other earth-moving activities.

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American tribes do not accept the artifact, it shall be offered to an institution staffed by qualified professionals, as determined by the City Planner.

Artifacts include material recovered from all phases of work, including the initial survey, testing, indexing, data recovery, and monitoring.

Implementation Program: Identify Historic and Cultural Sites. Update the historic and cultural resources survey to identify historic or cultural sites eligible for resource protection, with specific consideration of structures 45 years old and older.

The goals, policies, and implementation programs listed above would help reduce the potential for archaeological resources to be adversely impacted by the ground-disturbing activities associated with the development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan. However, there would still be potential for development to impact archaeological resources, and those impacts would be potentially significant. However, implementation of Mitigation Measures CR-2 and CR-3 (evaluate and protect significant archaeological resources if encountered during construction associated with development under the 2040 General Plan), would reduce 2040 General Plan construction impacts related to archeological resources to less than significant with mitigation.

Operation
Given that potential impacts to archaeological resources would occur during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impact related to archaeological resources.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure CR-2: Revise General Plan Implementation Program M to Include Preparation of Archaeological Resources Assessment prior to Project Approval and Implementation of Mitigation prior to and during Construction
The City shall revise 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program M to include that, in addition to updating the existing historical and cultural resources survey, prior to approval of a project that involves ground disturbance activities in native or previously undisturbed soils, an archaeological resources assessment shall be prepared under the supervision of an archaeologist that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in either prehistoric or historic archaeology.

The City shall add further details to 2040 General Plan Program M that state the following:

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 Assessments shall include a California Historical Resources Information System records search at the Northwest Information Center (NAHC) and a Sacred Lands File search maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission. The records searches will characterize the results of previous cultural resource surveys and disclose any cultural resources that have been recorded and/or evaluated in and around a project site. A Phase I pedestrian survey shall be undertaken at a project site that is on previously undeveloped land in order to locate any surface cultural materials.

By performing a records search, consultation with the NAHC, and a Phase I survey, a qualified archaeologist shall be able to classify a project site as having high, medium, or low sensitivity for archaeological resources.
 If the Phase I archaeological survey identifies resources that may be affected by a project, the archaeological resources assessment shall also include Phase II testing and evaluation. If resources are determined significant or unique through Phase II testing and site avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be identified in the Phase II evaluation. These measures shall include, but would not be limited to, a Phase III data recovery program, avoidance, or other appropriate actions to be determined by a qualified archaeologist in consultation with the City and any interested Tribes, as stated in the 2040 General Plan Tribal Consultation Implementation Program outlined by Goal ENV-5. If significant archaeological resources cannot be avoided, impacts may be reduced to less-than-significant levels by filling on top of the sites rather than cutting into a cultural deposits. Alternatively, and/or in addition, a data collection program may be warranted, including mapping the location of artifacts, surface collection of artifacts, or excavation of the cultural deposit to characterize the nature of the buried portions of sites. Curation of the excavated artifacts or samples shall occur as specified by the archaeologist in consultation with the City and any interested Tribes. As stated in the 2040 General Plan Tribal Consultation Implementation Program outlined by Goal ENV-5, the final disposition of artifacts not directly associated with Native American graves shall be negotiated during consultation with interested tribes. If Native American tribes do not accept the artifact, it shall be offered to an institution staffed by qualified professionals, as determined by the City Planner. Artifacts include material recovered from all phases of work, including the initial survey, testing, indexing, data recovery, and monitoring.

Mitigation Measure CR-3: Revise General Plan Goal ENV-5 to Include a Policy to Stop Work in the Event of Unanticipated Cultural Resources Discoveries during Construction
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The City shall revise the 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-5 to include a policy that, if cultural resources are encountered during ground-disturbing activities for a project, work in the immediate area shall be halted and an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for archaeology in either prehistoric or historic archaeology shall be contacted immediately to evaluate the find.

If necessary, the evaluation may require preparation of a treatment plan and archaeological testing for CRHR eligibility. If the discovery proves to be significant under CEQA and cannot be avoided by a project, additional work such as excavating the cultural deposit to fully characterize its extent, and collecting and curating artifacts may be warranted to mitigate any significant impacts to cultural resources. In the event that archaeological resources of Native American origin are identified during project construction, a qualified archaeologist will consult with the City to begin Native American consultation procedures.

2. Unidentified Tribal Cultural Resources
Threshold: Would the Project have an impact on unidentified tribal cultural resources? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.4-27 – 3.4-28) Explanation:

Construction
Ground-disturbing activities associated with future development projects under the 2040 General Plan could expose previously unidentified subsurface archaeological resources that may qualify as tribal cultural resources and could be adversely affected by associated project construction.

The 2040 General Plan is a high-level planning document, and it remains a possibility that tribal cultural resources may be present within Pleasant Hill (the General Plan area. AB 52 and SB 18 tribal consultation, thus far, has not identified known tribal cultural resources in the General Plan area, and the SLF results received from the NAHC were negative for Sacred Lands.

Adherence to the requirements of AB 52 would require tribal consultation with local California Native American Tribes prior to implementation of any future project activities that are subject to CEQA. In compliance with AB 52, a determination of whether project-specific substantial adverse effects on tribal cultural resources would occur along with identification of appropriate project-specific avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures would be required. Future projects facilitated by the 2040 General Plan that are not subject to AB 52 shall adhere to the General Plan policies Findings

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listed below, which include tribal monitoring and consultation.

The following proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-5 and its associated policy as well as implementation programs would reduce potential impacts to tribal cultural resources.

Goal ENV-5 Protect cultural and tribal resources.

Policy ENV-5.2 Consultation. Perform required consultation with the appropriate tribal organization(s) as part of projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Implementation Program: Tribal Construction Monitors. Require tribal monitor(s) during all activities in areas with cultural resources of interest to local Native American tribes. The tribal monitor(s) shall observe grading, ground-disturbing, and other earth-moving activities.

Implementation Program: Tribal Consultation. Require the determination of the significance of the cultural resource(s) and development and implementation of any data recovery program shall be conducted by a qualified professional and in consultation with interested Native American tribes. All Native American human remains and associated grave goods shall be returned to their most likely descendent and repatriated. The final disposition of artifacts not directly associated with Native American graves shall be negotiated during consultation with interested tribes. If Native American tribes do not accept the artifact, it shall be offered to an institution staffed by qualified professionals, as determined by the City Planner. Artifacts include material recovered from all phases of work, including the initial survey, testing, indexing, data recovery, and monitoring.

The goal, policy, and implementation programs listed above would help reduce the potential for tribal cultural resources to be adversely impacted by the ground-disturbing activities associated with the development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan. However, there would still be potential for development to affect tribal cultural resources, and those impacts would be potentially significant. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure CR-4 (suspend work around tribal cultural resources identified during construction) would reduce 2040 General Plan construction impacts related to archeological resources to less than significant with mitigation.

Operation
Given that impacts to tribal cultural resources occur during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to tribal cultural resources.

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Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure CR-4: Revise General Plan Goal ENV-5 to Include a Policy to Suspend Work around Tribal Cultural Resources Identified during Construction
The City shall revise the 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal 5 to include a policy that in the event that cultural resources of Native American origin are identified during construction of a project implemented under the 2040 General Plan, all earth-disturbing work in the vicinity of the find shall be temporarily suspended or redirected until an archaeologist has evaluated the nature and significance of the find as a cultural resource and an appropriate local Native American representative is consulted. If the City, in consultation with local Native Americans, determines that the resource is a tribal cultural resource and, thus, significant under CEQA, a mitigation plan shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with State guidelines and in consultation with local Native American group(s). The mitigation plan shall include avoidance of the resource or, if avoidance of the resource is infeasible, the plan shall outline the appropriate treatment of the resource in coordination with the appropriate local Native American tribal representative and, if applicable, a qualified archaeologist. Examples of appropriate mitigation for tribal cultural resources include, but are not limited to, protecting the cultural character and integrity of the resource, protecting traditional use of the resource, protecting the confidentiality of the resource, or heritage recovery.

E. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Paleontological Resources
Threshold: Would the Project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?
Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.5-28 – 3.5-30) Explanation:

Consistent with SVP guidelines, the paleontological sensitivity of the eight geologic units underlying the plan area were assessed based on review of published geologic maps, a literature review, and online fossil locality databases. All eight geologic units are found within Pleasant Hill City Limits (Error! Reference source not found.). The age and paleontological sensitivity of these geologic units are summarized in Error! Reference source not found. and respective locations are shown in Error! Reference source not found.. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.5-28)
Construction
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Ground-disturbing construction activities that impact previously geologic units with high paleontological sensitivity may result in significant impacts to paleontological resources (Error! Reference source not found.).

However, potentially significant impacts to paleontological resources can only be determined once a specific project has been proposed because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual project site conditions (e.g., presence of previously disturbed sediments or artificial fill) and the characteristics of the proposed ground disturbance (e.g., depth, total volume, type of construction). Ground-disturbing activities associated with construction facilitated by the 2040 General Plan particularly in areas that have not previously been developed with urban uses, have the potential to damage or destroy paleontological resources that may be present on or below the ground surface in areas of high paleontological sensitivity.

Consequently, damage to or destruction of fossils could occur due to development under the proposed 2040 General Plan. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure GEO-1 would reduce 2040 General Plan construction impacts related to the destruction of paleontological resources or unique geological features to less than significant with mitigation.

Operation
Impacts with the potential to cause substantial adverse change in the significance of a unique paleontological resource or unique geologic feature are limited to construction. No respective operational paleontological resources impacts would occur.

Mitigation Measures
GEO-1 Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to
Protect Paleontological Resources
The City of Pleasant Hill shall add a policy (or policies) providing for the protection of paleontological resources to the 2040 General Plan prior to its adoption. The policy (policies) shall include the following:
 A Qualified Professional Paleontologist (as defined by SVPError! Bookmark not defined.) must be retained to conduct a paleontological resources analysis prior to the beginning of projects involving ground disturbance in geologic units with high paleontological sensitivity to determine whether there is a potential for significant impacts to paleontological resources.
 If potential impacts to paleontological resources are found to be significant, then a Qualified Professional Paleontologist shall be retained to develop and implement a Paleontological Resources Mitigation Program to ensure that impacts to paleontological Findings

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resources are less than significant.

F. NOISE

1. Vibration
Threshold: Would the Project result in the exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.10-38 – 3.10-40) Explanation:

Construction
Construction of individual projects facilitated by the proposed 2040 General Plan could intermittently generate groundborne vibration to nearby properties. Error! Reference source not found. (Draft EIR, p. 3.10-38) lists groundborne vibration levels from various types of construction equipment at various distances.

As shown in Error! Reference source not found., buildings and structures could experience the strongest vibration during the use of pile-drivers and vibratory rollers. Vibration levels from pile-drivers could approach 1.519 in/sec PPV at a distance of 25 feet from the source and 0.190 in/sec at 100 feet, and vibration levels from vibratory rollers could approach 0.21 in/sec PPV at a distance of 25 feet and 0.026 at 100 feet. The threshold for historic structures is 0.12 in/sec PPV; the threshold is higher for residential buildings at 0.2 in/sec PPV.

Vibration levels from typical equipment such as bulldozers and jackhammers would not exceed FTA thresholds for historic structures and residential buildings at a distance of 25 feet or greater. However, vibration levels from pile driving equipment and vibratory rollers may exceed FTA thresholds. Implementation of Policy HS-7.4 contained in the 2040 General Plan would reduce construction vibration in residential areas.

Policy HS-7.4 Residential Site Design Noise Consideration. Protect residential areas from noise and vibration by requiring appropriate site and building design, sound walls, and landscaping and by the use of noise attenuating construction techniques and materials.

Implementation of Policy HS-7.4 would ensure that residential areas are protected from noise and vibration. However, since at this stage of planning, project-level details are not available for individual development projects that would be carried out under the 2040 General Plan, it is not possible to determine which projects may use pile driving or vibratory rollers and their exact vibration levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects. Therefore, construction vibration levels may exceed FTA vibration Findings

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levels for preventing architectural building damage, and impacts would be potentially significant. However, implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-3 would reduce 2040 General Plan construction groundborne vibration and noise impacts in Pleasant Hill to a level of less than significant.

Operation
Residential, commercial, industrial, and retail land uses facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would not involve substantial vibration sources associated with operation such as railroad and subway. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational groundborne vibration and noise impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure NOI-3 Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to update the Zoning Ordinance to Implement Construction Vibration Control Measures
To reduce potential construction vibration impacts, the City shall adopt the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy to update the Zoning Ordinance to include the following:
 New Policy: Prior to issuance of a building permit for a project requiring pile driving during construction within 135 feet of fragile structures such as historical resources, 100 feet of non-engineered timber and masonry buildings (e.g., most residential buildings), or within 75 feet of engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster); a vibratory roller within 40 feet of fragile historical resources or 25 feet of any other structure; or a dozer or other large earthmoving equipment within 20 feet for a fragile historical structure or 15 feet of any other structure, the project applicant shall prepare a groundborne noise and vibration analysis to assess and mitigate potential noise and vibration impacts related to these construction activities. This noise and vibration analysis shall be conducted by a qualified and experienced acoustical consultant or engineer. The vibration levels shall not exceed FTA architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12 in/sec PPV for fragile or historical resources, 0.2 in/sec PPV for non-engineered timber and masonry buildings, and 0.3 in/sec PPV for engineered concrete and masonry). If vibration levels would exceed this threshold, alternative uses such as drilling piles as opposed to pile driving, static rollers as opposed to vibratory rollers, and lower horsepower earthmoving equipment shall be used. If necessary, construction vibration monitoring shall be conducted to ensure FTA vibration thresholds are not exceeded.

G. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
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1. Tribal Cultural Resources
Threshold: Would the Project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
(i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k); or (ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in Public Resources Code section 5024.1?
Finding: Less than significant with mitigation. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.4-27 – 3.4-28) Explanation:

The following proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-5 and its associated policy as well as implementation programs would reduce potential impacts to tribal cultural resources.

Goal ENV-5 Protect cultural and tribal resources.

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Policy ENV-5.2 Consultation. Perform required consultation with the appropriate tribal organization(s) as part of projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Implementation Program: Tribal Construction Monitors. Require tribal monitor(s) during all activities in areas with cultural resources of interest to local Native American tribes. The tribal monitor(s) shall observe grading, grounddisturbing, and other earth-moving activities.

Operation
Given that impacts to tribal cultural resources occur during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to tribal cultural resources.

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find shall be temporarily suspended or redirected until an archaeologist has evaluated the nature and significance of the find as a cultural resource and an appropriate local Native American representative is consulted. If the City, in consultation with local Native Americans, determines that the resource is a tribal cultural resource and, thus, significant under CEQA, a mitigation plan shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with State guidelines and in consultation with local Native American group(s). The mitigation plan shall include avoidance of the resource or, if avoidance of the resource is infeasible, the plan shall outline the appropriate treatment of the resource in coordination with the appropriate local Native American tribal representative and, if applicable, a qualified archaeologist. Examples of appropriate mitigation for tribal cultural resources include, but are not limited to, protecting the cultural character and integrity of the resource, protecting traditional use of the resource, protecting the confidentiality of the resource, or heritage recovery.

H. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS

1. Wastewater Treatment Requirements
Threshold: Would the Project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects? Finding: Less than significant with mitigation. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.13-18 – 3.13-24) Explanation:

Construction
No new or expanded water, wastewater, stormwater, or telecommunications facilities are specifically proposed as part of the 2040 General Plan.

However, the 2040 General Plan would provide the framework for development of up to 19,216 net new primary and accessory dwelling residential units in the city of Pleasant Hill. As a result, CCWD, EBMUD, Martinez Water District, Central San, and local telecommunications providers could need to increase their water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and telecommunications services to the City of Pleasant Hill through the year 2040, which could in turn require the construction of new or expanded facilities to accommodate additional utility supply and collection. The placement and potential impacts of a new utility infrastructure and facilities are unknown at this time; if construction or expansion of future facilities are needed, separate environmental review would be required, which could result in development and implementation of future project-specific construction-related mitigation measures. The 2040 General Plan facilitates development within areas of Pleasant Hill that Findings

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are currently developed. As such, construction of new utility infrastructure or facilities, if required, would likely occur on property previously disturbed or developed and thus within the programmatic analysis for buildout under the 2040 General Plan as analyzed throughout this EIR. Additionally, construction would be required to comply with all applicable federal, State, and local regulations governing the provision of utility infrastructure and utilities. This would reduce the potential for adverse construction impacts associated with construction of new or expanded utility and infrastructure and facilities associated with implementation of the 2040 General Plan.

However significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, historic resources, paleontological resources, and noise were determined in Sections 3.2, Air Quality, 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, and 3.10, Noise, respectively. Therefore, construction impacts related to potential need for new or expanded utility infrastructure and facilities would be considered significant and unavoidable.

Operation
Water
The UWMPs for both CCWD and EBMUD determined that there are sufficient water supplies to accommodate the anticipated population growth throughout their respective service areas according to ABAG Plan Bay Area 2040 projections. In addition, the General Plan area is located in urbanized parts of both the CCWD and EBMUD service areas. As discussed under Impact UTIL-2, there would be sufficient water supplies available to serve the 2040 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years. In compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the California Building Standards Code (CBC), development facilitated under both plans would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location, and distribution criteria.

Furthermore, CCWD is in the process of updating its Treated Water Master Plan, which utilizes information from cities and the County General Plans for land use to develop future demand projections to identify improvements to the system needed to meet growth. The update to general plans will require a review by CCWD to determine if modifications or additional improvements to the system are necessary to support development in the proposed plan. With implementation of the above policies, sufficient water supply and WTP capacity would be maintained. As such, new or expanded water facilities are not anticipated to be required due to operational demand.

In addition, the 2040 General Plan contains the following goals and policies that would ensure adequate utility capacity and infrastructure:

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Goal PFS-1 Ensure adequate water supply to existing and future development.

Policy PFS-1.2 Infrastructure Maintenance. Collaborate with water providers in their efforts to maintain wastewater conveyance, treatment, and disposal infrastructure in good working conditions within the city.

Policy PFS-1.5 Water Services Requirement. Ensure that water services for new developments does not negatively affect service to existing uses.

Policy PFS-1.6 Water Provider Coordination. Coordinate with water providers to ensure that new proposed development can be adequately served by the water supply system prior to approving the development.

However, even with implementation of the aforementioned policies, there could be potential need for future water pipeline upsizing and infrastructure connections. Since significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, historic resources, paleontological resources, and noise were determined in Sections 3.2, Air Quality, 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, and

3.10, Noise, respectively, operational impacts related to potential need for new or expanded water supply utility infrastructure and facilities would be considered significant and unavoidable.

Implementation of the proposed plan could have a significant impact if the wastewater treatment provider would not have sufficient capacity to serve the proposed new land uses in addition to the provider’s existing commitments.

Growth and development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would create additional demand for wastewater treatment in Pleasant Hill. However, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would occur within the urbanized areas of the city where existing wastewater infrastructure is present. Similar to water infrastructure, increased density could require upgraded wastewater pipelines or pumps. Development facilitated by the General Plan is projected to result in approximately 19,216 net new primary and accessory dwelling residential units in Pleasant Hill that in turn would result in approximately 46,119 new residents by the year 2040. As discussed under Impact UTIL-3, there would be adequate capacity to serve the 2040 General Plan’s wastewater demand.

Development facilitated under the 2040 General Plan would undergo review by Central San to ensure that development does not encroach on easements for sewer pipes, and applicants would be responsible for the payment of standard sewer connection fees, as necessary. In addition, the following 2040 General Plan goals and policies would ensure new development is connected to the existing sanitary sewer system and that wastewater service is adequate.

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Goal PFS-1 Ensure adequate water supply to existing and future development.

Policy PFS-1.5 Water Services Requirement. Ensure that water services for new developments does not negatively affect service to existing uses.

Goal PFS-2 Ensure that adequate wastewater facilities and services are available to meet the needs of existing and future development.

Policy PFS-2.1 Infrastructure Maintenance. Collaborate with Central San in their efforts to maintain wastewater conveyance, treatment, and disposal infrastructure in good working conditions within the city.

Policy PFS-2.2 New Development. Coordinate the review of development proposals with Central San to ensure that new development can be adequately served.

Policy PSF-2.3 Wastewater Services Requirement. Ensure that wastewater services for new development does not negatively affect service to existing uses.

Implementation Program B Capital Improvements Program. When updating the Capital Improvements Program, identify and include the following:
 Projects that could also support green infrastructure improvements.  Street improvements consistent with emergency vehicle access standards.
 City-sponsored projects necessary to maintain or improve levels of performance.

However, even with implementation of the aforementioned policies, there could be potential need for future wastewater pipeline upsizing and infrastructure connections. Since significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, historic resources, paleontological resources, and noise were determined in Sections 3.2, Air Quality, 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, and 3.10, Noise, respectively, operational impacts related to potential need for new or expanded wastewater utility infrastructure and facilities would be considered significant and unavoidable.

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Stormwater
As described in Impact HYD-1 in Section 3.8, Hydrology and Water Quality, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would reduce the extent of impervious surfaces within the General Plan area, which could in turn reduce stormwater runoff that enters the City’s municipal storm drain system. In addition, because the 2040 General Plan is focused on infill development, the conversion of open space and permeable surfaces to impervious surfaces would be minimized. Furthermore, the amount of impervious surfaces would be reduced through implementation of Best Management Practices, including Low Impact Development (LID) approaches, aimed at reducing stormwater runoff to ensure downstream storm drain capacity is not exceeded. Therefore, stormwater generated by development facilitated by the proposed plan would not exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage and storage systems.

In addition, the 2040 General Plan contains the following goals and policies that would ensure adequate stormwater capacity and infrastructure:

Policy ENV-2.1 Drainage System Maintenance. Maintain and upgrade the city drainage system, including regularly clearing drainage systems of debris build up that exacerbates flood impacts.

Policy ENV-2.2 Drainage Improvements. Cooperate with regional agencies to complete regional storm drainage improvements.

Goal PFS-3 Provide a resilient, sustainable stormwater management system that reduces runoff volume and minimizes flood potential from existing and future development.

Policy PFS-3.1 NPDES Permit Activities. Implement NPDES permit activities in compliance with State and Federal law to prevent stormwater pollution.

Policy PFS-3.2 Drainage Facility Maintenance. Collaborate with property owners, the Flood Control District to regularly maintain and provide funding for all drainage facilities to ensure that they continue operating at full carrying capacity.

Policy PFS-3.3 Green Infrastructure. Require new developments to install green infrastructure as required by the permit conditions of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, as part of their natural stormwater drainage systems, including but not limited to pervious pavement, infiltration basins, raingardens, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and other types of low impact development (LID).

Policy PFS-3.4 Retrofit for Green Infrastructure. Encourage the retrofit of existing development to include sustainable infrastructure and green building practices.

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With implementation of the policies mentioned above and LID techniques, sufficient stormwater collection would be maintained. As such, new or expanded facilities are not anticipated to be required due to operational demand. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to adequacy, capacity, and need for new stormwater infrastructure facilities as a result of stormwater generation would be less than significant.

Telecommunications
At operation, the 2040 General Plan would increase demand for internet and telephone services provided by local telecommunications providers. The library, park district, and future residents would coordinate with telecommunication providers to provide service. The plan area is located in an urbanized area of Pleasant Hill where existing telecommunications providers already offer internet and telephone services. As such, at operation the proposed plan would not require the relocation or expansion of telecommunications infrastructure, due to local telecommunications providers continuing to provide adequate telecommunications capacity and access.

In addition, the 2040 General Plan contains the following goals and policies that would ensure adequate telecommunication capacity and infrastructure:

Goal PFS-5 Provide for the current and future energy and telecommunications needs of Pleasant Hill.

Policy PFS-5.1 Provision of Utilities. Work with public, quasi-public, and private utility providers as practicable to provide adequate levels of service to city residents.

Policy PFS-5.2 Coordination with Utility Providers. Coordinate with energy providers in the siting and design of gas and electric facilities to minimize environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts.

Policy PFS-5.3 Co-Location of Telecommunication Facilities. Encourage compatible co-location of telecommunication facilities and work with service providers to site telecommunications facilities on City-owned property or public rights-of-way.

Policy PFS-5.4 Utility Undergrounding. Require the undergrounding of local-serving utilities in areas of the city undergoing development or significant construction.

Policy PFS-5.5 Telecommunication Technologies. Support the implementation of telecommunication technologies to attract new businesses and meet the changing communication needs of city residents and businesses.

Policy PFS-5.6 Fiber Optic Cable Access. Explore opportunities to expand Findings

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the city's fiber optic infrastructure.

Policy PFS-5.7 Residential Electric Utility Use. Encourage the use of electric appliances and utility hook-ups in all new residential development.

With implementation of the policies mentioned above, sufficient telecommunications access would be maintained. As such, new or expanded facilities are not anticipated to be required due to operational demand.

Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to access, capacity, and need for new telecommunications infrastructure facilities as a result of telecommunications demand would be less than significant Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Reduce Construction Criteria Pollutant Emissions (see Section

3.2, Air Quality, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure AQ-3: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Conduct and Implement Construction Health Risk Assessments (see Section 3.2, Air Quality, for full mitigation measure text) Mitigation Measure CR-1: Revise General Plan Implementation Program M to Include Preparation of Historical Resources Evaluation prior to Approval for Projects Involving Buildings 45 Years or Older and Implementation of Mitigation Prior to and During Construction (see Section

3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure CR-2: Revised General Plan Implementation Program M to Include Preparation of Archaeological Resources Assessment Prior to Project Approval and Implementation of Mitigation Prior to and During Construction (see Section 3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure CR-3: Revise General Plan Goal ENV-5 to Include a Policy to Stop Work in the Event of Unanticipated Cultural Resources Discoveries During Construction (see Section 3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure CR-4: Revise General Plan Goal ENV-5 to Include a Policy to Suspend Work around Tribal Cultural Resources Identified During Construction (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure GEO-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Protect Paleontological Resources (see Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, for full mitigation measure text) Findings

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Mitigation Measure NOI-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Implement Construction Noise Reduction Measures (see Section

3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure NOI-3: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Implement a Construction Vibration Control Plan (see Section

3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
SECTION IV.

IMPACTS THAN CANNOT BE FULLY MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL
The City Council hereby finds that, despite the incorporation of Mitigation Measures identified in the EIR and in these Findings, the following environmental impacts cannot be fully mitigated to a less than significant level and a Statement of Overriding Considerations is therefore included herein:

I. AIR QUALITY
A. Emissions Generation
Threshold: Would the Project generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.6-25 – 3.6-37) Explanation:

Construction
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would result in GHG emissions during construction. GHG emissions during construction would result primarily from fuel consumption associated with heavy equipment, light-duty vehicles, machinery, and generators for lighting. Temporary grid power may also be provided to construction trailers or electric construction equipment that may result in indirect GHG emissions from the energy generation. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would incorporate BAAQMD best management practices to reduce GHG emissions during construction activities. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would also utilize construction contractors that comply with applicable CARB regulations such as accelerated retrofitting, repowering, or replacement of heavy-duty diesel on- and off-road equipment, and restricted idling of heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles.

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unnecessary GHG emissions. Construction equipment would be subject to the USEPA Construction Equipment Fuel Efficiency Standard, which would minimize inefficient fuel consumption and thus GHG emissions.

These construction equipment standards (i.e., Tier 4 efficiency requirements) are contained in 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1039, 1065, and 1068. Per applicable regulatory requirements of CALGreen, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would comply with construction waste management practices to divert construction and demolition debris from landfills. These practices would result in efficient use of energy by construction facilitated by the 2040 General Plan and, therefore, would minimize unnecessary GHG emissions. Furthermore, in the interest of cost efficiency, construction contractors would not utilize fuel in a manner that is wasteful or unnecessary, which would also have the effect of minimizing GHG emissions.

Pursuant to the 2022 BAAQMD CEQA Thresholds for Evaluating the Significance of Climate Impacts From Land Use Projects and Plans, BAAQMD does not recommend a construction-related climate impact threshold. According to BAAQMD, greenhouse gas emissions from construction represent a very small portion of a project’s lifetime GHG emissions. The proposed thresholds for land use projects are designed to address operational GHG emissions that represent the vast majority of project GHG emissions. Therefore, the evaluation of GHG emissions impacts associated with implementation of the 2040 General Plan is focused on operational emissions, discussed below.

Operation
GHG Emissions Generation
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would result in GHG emissions during operation. GHG emissions during operation would result primarily from building energy usage and transportation fuel consumption associated with light-duty vehicles. The 2040 General Plan contains policies that aim to increase connectivity and promote travel by alternative modes and increase energy efficient building related energy use and renewable energy sources to reduce operational GHG emissions. Proposed 2040 General Plan policies related to GHG emissions reductions include:

Goal LU-3 To provide a variety of housing types that offer choices for Pleasant Hill residents and create complete, livable neighborhoods.

Policy LU-3.2 Connectivity. Encourage new residential and mixed-use development to incorporate design features that promote walking within neighborhoods and citywide.

Policy LU-3.4 Clustering Development. Encourage new residential development Findings

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to be clustered to support increased densities, open space, and efficiencies of public facilities and services.

Goal LU-4 To ensure that commercial and mixed-use development in the city is consistent with the overall community character and serves the existing and future needs of residents and visitors.

Policy LU-4.3 Neighborhood Connectivity. Encourage commercial and mixeduse development to link to adjoining residential neighborhoods by incorporating welldesigned and attractive streetscapes with sidewalks, bicycle paths, and street amenities.

Policy LU-4.4 Capture Local Spending. Encourage the development of a broad range of commercial uses that capture a greater share of local spending and reduce residents’ reliance upon travel to nearby communities.

Policy LU-4.5 Vertical and Horizontal Mixed-use. Encourage vertical and horizontal mixed-use development at key intersections and within neighborhoods that result in distinct and cohesive pedestrian-oriented places that provide additional neighborhood-serving amenities and intensified economic vitality.

Goal LU-6 Create distinct and identifiable places for future development within Pleasant Hill that enhance community character, prosperity, and civic pride.

Policy LU-6.2 Encourage the creation of a DVC District. Encourage development of a vibrant, walkable district centered around DVC and Golf Club Road that includes student and faculty housing, retail, and daily service uses for students, faculty, and staff.

Policy LU-6.4 Enhanced Connectivity. Support the expansion of alternative transportation options including enhancements to the multi-use trail, expanded bike lanes along Golf Club Road, and additional connections between new and existing development.

Policy LU-6.16 Walkable Environment. Enhance the pedestrian connections between Downtown, Crescent Drive, City Hall, and adjacent commercial centers along Contra Costa Boulevard.

Policy LU-6.25 Transit-Oriented Development. Encourage the design and development of transit-oriented developments along Contra Costa Boulevard to support future transportation system enhancements.

Policy LU-6.27 Pedestrian Oriented Development. Support the transformation of existing auto-oriented and strip commercial uses into attractive pedestrian-oriented developments that enhance the visual character and interest of the boulevard.

Policy LU-6.31 Increased Residential Development. Support increased residential development along Contra Costa Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal Findings

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mixed-use projects.

Policy LU-6.34 Transform Gregory Lane. Support the transformation of Gregory Lane into an attractive streetscape that includes neighborhood-serving mixed-use with active frontages facing the street, wider sidewalks, expanded bicycle lanes, and consistent landscaping.

Policy LU-6.48 Pedestrian Connectivity. Require Monument Boulevard pedestrian upgrades including signalized crossings, bulb outs, and expanded sidewalks.

Policy LU-6.53 Increased Residential Development. Support increased residential development along Monument Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects.

Goal LU-7 Improve the health and well-being of all Pleasant Hill residents.

Policy LU-7.2 Alternative Transportation Improvements. Support new development and infrastructure improvements in existing neighborhoods that enable and encourage people to drive less and walk, bike, or take public transit more.

Policy LU-7.3 Remove Physical Barriers. Remove or plan for ways to address physical barriers that bisect neighborhoods and discourage walking or biking.

Land Use Element Implementation Programs
Program L Pedestrian and Bicycle Barrier Removal. Prepare an analysis of the physical barriers to walking and bicycling throughout the city. Identify options for and prepare a program for barrier removal. The analysis should include improvement prioritization, cost estimates, funding sources, and a timeline for improvements.

Goal TC-1 Establish and maintain a safe and efficient circulation system that emphasizes the use of existing arterial and collector roadways, paths, and bike lanes.

Policy TC-1.2 Multimodal Travel Options. Develop a connected network of vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities that provide continuous, safe, and comfortable travel for users of all ages, abilities, and transportation modes.

Goal TC-2 Improve traffic circulation along the city roadway network.

Policy TC-2.5 Transportation Demand Management (TDM). Require robust transportation demand management with all new private development that requires establishment of incentives and programs to reduce traffic congestion including annual reporting to ensure transportation demand management goals for a project are being met and to correct transportation demand management practices.

Policy TC-2.6 Safe Routes to School (SR2S). Establish a Safe Routes to School program in collaboration with the school districts and private schools that identifies Findings

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and promotes suggested routes to school and incentivizes students and parents to use alternative transportation modes for school commutes.

Goal TC-4 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through land use planning.

Policy TC-4.4 Infill Development. Support infill and development in existing urban areas and around key transit facilities.

Policy TC-4.5 Correlation Between Land Use and Transportation. Support land use patterns that make more efficient use of the transportation system, such as locating development near transit routes and high-quality bicycle/pedestrian facilities, minimizing new driveways, consolidating parking, and other best practice urban design measures.

Goal TC-5 Support a vibrant, walkable environment that encourages alternative (non-driving) modes of transportation.

Policy TC-5.1 Evaluate Multimodal Facility Needs. Evaluate the needs of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities and/or access for new development as part of the review process, and require new development to incorporate transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access where feasible and appropriate, consistent with the Circulation Element and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (when adopted).

Policy TC-5.3 Mobility Technology Support. Identify and implement technology that supports walking, biking, commuting, and other alternative transportation modes within the City including infrastructure that supports micro mobility use within the City.

Goal TC-6 Reduce reliance on the automobile by promoting alternative modes of transportation.

Policy TC-6.1 Encourage Non-Driving Forms of Personal Mobility. Encourage bicycling, walking, and other forms of personal mobility, like e-scooters, e-bikes, and neighborhood electric vehicles, as energy conserving, non-polluting modes of travel.

Policy TC-6.2 Private Development of Transportation Facilities. Encourage private entities to develop and maintain publicly accessible transportation facilities, including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities.

Policy TC-6.3 Non-Vehicular Transportation Requirement. Require new developments that would result in significant increases in air pollution, VMT or noise to incorporate non-vehicular facilities or programs that would reduce the overall project impacts on these resources including e-Bike charging stations and free use e-Bike pod stations for residential and commercial development.

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reduce pollution or VMT as a benefit to the community (e.g., bicycle lockers/racks, showers, dedicated vanpool or carpool parking areas, dedicated shuttle services, e-bike charging stations innovative bus shelter designs).

Policy TC-6.5 Encourage Development of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure.

Encourage development of infrastructure (public and private) to support the use of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.

Goal TC-8 Encourage the development of a comprehensive and integrated transportation network with infrastructure and design features that allow safe and convenient travel along and across streets for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, users and operators of public transportation, seniors, youth, and families.

Policy TC-8.1 Complete Streets Principles. Apply complete streets principles when building new, or rehabilitating existing, roadways, consider the following design elements:

Sidewalks and curbs as a standard design principle.

Bicycle lanes and/or shared lanes as a standard design principle.

Transit accessibility as a standard design principle.

Shade trees and planting strips as a standard design principle along roadways Policy TC-8.2 Review for Complete Streets. Review street reconstruction, new development, and utility projects to incorporate complete street elements when feasible, including trails, bus stop enhancements, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities.

Policy TC-8.3 Regional Complete Streets Planning. Coordinate internally and with other agencies to plan for the provision of complete streets regionally.

Policy TC-8.4 Multi-Modal Roadways. Consider the needs of vehicles, bicycle, and pedestrians on all city roadways and facilities.

Policy TC-8.6 Wide Sidewalks for Shared Use. Provide wide sidewalks to allow shared use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized modes of transportation as directed by the City Engineer.

Policy TC-8.7 Limit Roadway Widening. Limit roadway widening and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements within the right of way to increase roadway capacity that does not conflict with emergency access requirements.

Goal TC-9 Prioritize a safe and connected pedestrian network for users of all ages and abilities.

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Policy TC-9.1 Pedestrian Safety. Maintain and upgrade the City’s pedestrian system by installing or upgrading sidewalks, warning devices, crosswalks, and other pedestrian aids where appropriate, including particular consideration for the needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Policy TC-9.2 Pedestrian Connections. Require new development to use best practices in providing pedestrian connections between sites and existing and planned pedestrian facilities, including those identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and other relevant plans and documents.

Policy TC-9.3 Enhance Pedestrian Crossings. Enhance pedestrian crossings on all arterial and collector roadways.

Policy TC-9.4 Sidewalk Maintenance. Maintain existing sidewalk to meet ADA requirements, including removal or relocation of objects obstructing pedestrian path and installation of wider or detached sidewalks with a buffer separation from vehicular traffic, where feasible.

Policy TC-9.5 Sidewalk Guidelines and Standards. Establish sidewalk standards and guidelines for enhancing existing sidewalk and installation of new sidewalks.

Policy TC-9.6 Planning for Pedestrian Improvements. Ensure all planning processes, such as PUD Concept Plans, master plans and specific plans, identify areas where pedestrian improvements can be made, such as new connections, increased sidewalk width, improved crosswalks, improved lighting, and new street furniture.

Policy TC-9.7 Enhance Street Lighting. Enhance street lighting to provide for better pedestrian safety.

Policy TC-9.8 Sidewalk Improvements. Improve sidewalks to facilitate access by users of all ages and abilities.

Policy TC-9.9 Sidewalk Plan. Create a sidewalk plan that identifies high-priority sidewalk throughout the city and establishes an implementation plan for eliminating the sidewalk gaps and enhancement.

Goal TC-11 Increase the number of bicycle and pedestrian trips by users of all ages and abilities.

Policy TC-11.1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network. Support a network of safe and comfortable bikeway and pedestrian facilities connecting neighborhoods and destinations in Pleasant Hill and adjacent jurisdictions.

Policy TC-11.2 Street Design. Require street cross-sections to accommodate bicyclists, micro-mobility users, and pedestrians.

Policy TC-11.3 Protected Bicycle Facilities. Consider incorporating protected bicycle and pedestrian facilities in higher density land use areas and along major Findings

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transportation corridors to the greatest extent feasible.

Goal TC-13 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through non-automobile transportation.

Policy TC-13.1 Bus and Rail Services. Coordinate with local transit providers (i.e., bus, paratransit, and rail service) to provide expanded schedules and services that meet the needs of Pleasant Hill residents.

Policy TC-13.2 Innovative Transportation Technologies. Work with transit providers, employers, schools, and developers to encourage innovative technologies that promote more effective and expanded use of transit and facilitate other innovations to serve first and last mile travel, such as mobility hubs and micro-mobility (e-scooters, e-bikes).

Policy TC-13.3 Support County Connection Improvements. Support County Connection to improve all types of accessibility and comfort for their facilities and to incorporate intermodal facilities where feasible.

Policy TC-13.4 Transit for Commuters and Special Needs Populations. Work with transit providers and other regional TDM entities to promote and incentivize use of transit for commuters, seniors, students, and persons with disabilities.

Policy TC-13.5 Senior Van Service. Maintain the City's Senior Van Service for residents over the age of 55, subject to the availability of funding.

Goal TC-15 Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle trip lengths and manage vehicle congestion through a comprehensive program of transportation resources and services.

Policy TC-15.1 TDM Alternatives. Meet the increased transportation needs of the community with TDM alternatives.

Policy TC-15.2 Require TDM Programs. Require new development to implement appropriate TDM programs to encourage walking, biking, carpooling, and transit use, and to reduce vehicle trips.

Policy TC-15.3 TDM for New Development. All new development with more than 10 housing units or over 5,000 square feet of non-residential uses shall be required to include a detailed and measurable TDM program.

Policy TC-15.6 TDM Measures for Non-Residential Land Uses. Encourage measures to reduce vehicular trips and vehicle-miles travelled (VMT). Examples are the provision of on-site childcare and after-school care facilities, and on-site modular mini-conference rooms for virtual meetings.

Program G Non-automobile Commute Incentives. Prepare an analysis of potential incentives to encourage City employees to commute to work using alternative Findings

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means, including BART and bus passes, ridesharing, van pooling, and secure bicycle storage facilities.

Program IComplete Streets Best Practices. Develop and apply a complete streets best practices checklist to guide the design and review of proposed transportation improvement projects incorporating appropriate provisions from standard reference guidelines from federal, state and local sources (e.g., Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, MTC, ABAG, ITE, etc.)
Program J Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan. Update every seven (7) years the Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan to specify bicycle and pedestrian facility networks, and to identify and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian facility needs in the city.

Program N Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Standards. Prepare updated design standards and upgrades for bicycle and pedestrian facilities consistent with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Program P Incentivized Reduced Vehicle Trips. Create incentives for existing employers to reduce their vehicle trips.

Program Q Promote Carpools and Vanpools. Promote the use of carpools and vanpools by supporting and advertising services and programs implemented by 511ContraCosta.org, which operates transportation demand management (TDM) programs and services in the city.

Program R Transportation Demand Management System. Develop a transportation demand management program checklist and seek to fund TDM fee.

Program U Bike Route Connectivity. Develop and sign a network or bicycle routes that provide connectivity between homes, job centers, schools, and other frequently visited destinations.

Goal ENV-7 Meet or exceed State and Federal Air quality standards.

Policy ENV-7.3 Fuel-efficient Vehicles. Require fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles, including construction and maintenance equipment, by replacing the City vehicles and equipment with zero-emission vehicles and equipment and requesting that City contractors use reduced- or zero-emission fleets.

Policy ENV-7.4 Landscape Equipment. Prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment and publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.

Goal ENV-8 Become a low carbon community that strives to exceed State GHG reduction goals by 2040.

Policy ENV-8.1 Meet State Emission Reduction Targets. Reduce GHG emissions at a rate that meets the long-term State target to reduce emissions by at least 66 percent Findings

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below 2005 levels by 2040.

Policy ENV-8.2 Health and Economic Benefits. Prioritize implementation of GHG reduction projects that provide health and economic benefits for the community.

Policy ENV-8.3 Municipal GHG Reduction. Implement cost-effective GHG reduction strategies for City facilities and operations.

Policy ENV-8.4 Land Use and Transportation Priorities. Support land uses and transportation improvements that prioritize alternative transportation modes that will reduce the number and length of automobile trips.

Policy ENV-8.5 GHG Thresholds. Require new development projects that would exceed GHG thresholds to feasibly mitigate all GHG emissions and locally offset any remaining GHG emissions that exceed the threshold consistent with the City standards.

Policy ENV-8.6 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Require installation of electric vehicle charging stations as a ratio of total required parking for new and redeveloped commercial and multi-family projects and require new single-family residential development to include 220-volt outlets in all garages.

Policy ENV-8.7 Grant Funding. Seek grant funding to support implementation of GHG reduction projects in municipal facilities, including rebates and other incentive opportunities.

Policy ENV-8.8 Preferences for Firms Using Reduced-emissions Equipment.

Give preference for City contracts to firms using reduced-emissions equipment, including for services such as trash collection and landscaping.

Policy ENV-8.9 Sustainable Community Facility Design. Encourage the incorporation of sustainable design features in community facilities to reduce energy demand and environmental impacts, such as solar reflective roofing, permeable pavement, and incorporation of shade trees.

Goal ENV-9 Improve efficiency and conservation in all development.

Policy ENV-9.1 Energy Conservation Education. Partner with utility providers to educate residents, employers, and business owners/managers on the energy conservation programs available.

Policy ENV-9.2 Energy Efficiency Improvements. Require energy efficiency improvements, including alternative energy technology, be made as a part of residential and commercial building renovations when a building permit application is submitted to the City.

Policy ENV-9.3 Local Partnerships. Partner with local businesses and organizations to secure grants and incentives that facilitate energy efficiency and renewable energy production.

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Policy ENV-9.4 Municipal Buildings Efficiency and Conservation. Require the design new public buildings to exceed State standards for water and energy efficiency.

Policy ENV-9.5 Battery Energy Storage Systems. Encourage battery energy storage systems as an option for optimizing the management of electricity generated by renewable resources.

Policy ENV-9.7 Energy-Efficient Lighting. Require public facilities to use energyefficient lighting technology for outdoor and indoor spaces.

Program R Energy Conservation Education. Create a program to educate, provide access to a clearinghouse of available grants, and other funding sources to promote energy conservation and the application of alternative energy technology.

Program C Energy Efficiency Public Campaign. Develop a public outreach campaign on the benefits of energy efficiency and what steps residents and businesses can take to be more energy efficient.

Program D Green Retrofit Program. Seek funding to develop a program that provides financial assistance and informational resources to incentivize homeowners and business owners to retrofit their properties with green infrastructure.

Program INatural Gas Ban Study. Prepare a study to analyze the implementation of a natural gas ban for all new residential development.

Goal ENV-10 Become a low or zero-waste community with convenient and effective options for recycling, composting, and diverting waste from landfills.

Policy ENV-10.1 Franchise Agreements. Ensure waste franchise agreements and programs offer progressively higher rates of waste diversion with the goal of attaining and eventually exceeding the mandated 75 percent diversion rate.

Policy ENV-10.3 Zero Waste Education. Provide simple zero-waste education programs in City facilities and other organizations and partner with schools to facilitate education programs about recycling, composting, and reusing with standardized zerowaste materials.

Policy ENV-10.4 Composting Equipment. Provide composting equipment at community facilities and events to encourage public and commercial composting.

Policy ENV-10.5 Recycled Building Materials. Encourage new development projects to use recycled building materials where cost-effective and structurally feasible.

Policy ENV-10.6 Building Salvage and Roadway Construction Projects. Require maximization of building salvage and recycling in remodeling or building demolition or roadway reconstruction projects when issuing demolition and encroachment permits.

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Policy ENV-10.7 Recycling and Waste Diversion. Evaluate recycling and waste diversion opportunities periodically to consider new opportunities to further increase waste diversion.

Policy ENV-10.9 Reduction of Non-Recyclable/Compostable Products. Reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste in the community.

Policy ENV-10.10 On-Site Facilities in Existing Development. Require the City and encourage commercial businesses and business parks to install recycling and compost receptacles on their premises
Policy ENV-10.11 Reduce Waste in Operations. Require the City and encourage residents and businesses to reuse products, choose post-consumer recycled content products, reduce packaging waste, and use non-toxic cleaning products to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Program N Clean Fleet Program. Research potential funding mechanisms, including grant funding, to prepare and implement a clean fleet program to purchase or lease of zero emission, alternative energy vehicles and equipment with the objective of replacing all fossil fuel vehicles and equipment.

Program O Climate Action Plan. Prepare a Climate Action Plan that addresses all changes in State law pertaining to climate change and emissions, as well as setting GHG threshold targets for the City.

Program P GHG Reduction and Source Alignment. Pursue a diverse mix of GHG reduction strategies across a range of municipal activities that generate GHG emissions and perform municipal GHG inventories at least once every five years to track results for implementation elsewhere.

Program Q Electric Vehicle Parking Regulations. Revise and update the Zoning Ordinance Parking regulations, as needed, to reflect current best practices for electric vehicle charging considering new state legislation banning combustion engine vehicle by 2035.

Goal PFS-2 Ensure that adequate wastewater facilities and services are available to meet the needs of existing and future development.

Policy PFS-3.4 Retrofit for Green Infrastructure. Encourage the retrofit of existing development to include sustainable infrastructure and green building practices.

Goal PFS-4 Continue and improve upon efforts to divert waste from landfills.

Policy PFS-4.1 Sustainable Solid Waste and Recycling Services. Work with contract service provider to advance their sustainability initiatives to increase recovery of key materials and development of regenerative landfills.

Policy PFS-4.3 Recycle and Reuse Building Materials. Require the recycling and Findings

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reuse of building materials during demolition and construction including roadway projects.

Goal E-6 Encourage the development and expansion of critical communications and transportation infrastructure.

Policy E-6.2 Transportation Systems. Encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, ride sharing hubs, and bike/scooter rental services to support consumer interest in alternative transportation modes. Evaluate the changing needs for parking in commercial and mixed-use districts. Promote expansion of transit services.

Policy E-6.3 Active Transportation. Promote the use of the City’s trail systems to increase pedestrian and bike travel, particularly for local work trips. Develop circulation designs in mixed use districts, including Downtown, to promote pedestrian access and bike/scooter travel.

Program N Electric Vehicle and Micromobility Charging Stations. Develop a plan for the location and development of publicly available charging stations for autos and other types of personal electric transportation.

The 2040 General Plan is a policy-level document that guides land use and development throughout Pleasant Hill. While the 2040 General Plan would facilitate additional development within City limits, building energy consumption and VMT (and thus air pollution), water consumption, and solid waste generation per capita would be reduced under the 2040 General Plan buildout compared to existing conditions. However, total GHG emissions communitywide would incrementally increase in conjunction with increased overall buildings and VMT. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to generation of GHG emissions would be potentially significant.

Consistency with State GHG Reduction Plans
The CARB 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan outlines a pathway to achieving the 2030 reduction target set under California Senate Bill (SB) 32, which is considered an interim target toward meeting the longer-term 2045 carbon neutrality target set under California Assembly Bill (AB) 1279. In addition, the CARB 2022 Scoping Plan outlines a path to achieving carbon neutrality and reduction of anthropogenic GHG emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045 set under AB 1279. Furthermore, 2040 General Plan
Implementation Program O in the Environment Element of the 2040 General Plan calls for the preparation of a climate action plan that addresses all changes in State law pertaining to climate change and emissions, as well as setting GHG threshold targets for the City.

However, the City does not currently have a climate action plan and Findings

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has not outlined methods and policies to meet the State2030 and 2045 targets or reduce total GHG emissions communitywide. As such, the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with the SB 32 GHG reduction target for 2030, the AB 1279 GHG reduction target for 2045, or the 2017 or 2022 California Climate Change Scoping Plans.

Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to consistency with State GHG reduction plans would be potentially significant.

Consistency with Regional GHG Reduction Regulations
As discussed above, the 2040 General Plan would not comply with the 2022 BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for evaluating the
significance of climate impacts, which requires an evaluation of whether the plan would meet State goals to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 or an evaluation of consistency with a qualified local GHG reduction strategy. While the 2040 General Plan includes Policy ENV 8.1 setting GHG emissions targets, since there is no qualified GHG reduction strategy specific to Pleasant Hill, there is no established mechanism for the City to demonstrate compliance. Furthermore, the targets listed in Policy ENV 8.1 are not currently in line with latest State and BAAQMD targets to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to consistency with regional GHG reduction regulations would be potentially significant.

Overall
However, implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG2 would provide Pleasant Hill with State- and BAAQMD-compliant GHG emissions targets as well as a local Climate Action Plan and CEQA GHG emissions thresholds that, all together, establish a communitywide GHG reduction target and provide an outline of how Pleasant Hill will meet the State targets of 40 percent reduction in GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 as well as comply with regional BAAQMD CEQA GHG
Thresholds. Until a Climate Action Plan is adopted, and CEQA GHG Thresholds are adopted, implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with BAAQMD GHG thresholds nor be consistent with State GHG reduction plans. Therefore, 2040 General Plan impacts related to generation of GHG emissions and consistency with GHG reduction plans and regulations are significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measures
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Mitigation Measure GHG-1: Revise General Plan Policy ENV 8.1 to Reflect Latest State and BAAQMD GHG Emissions Targets The City shall revise 2040 General Plan Environment Element Policy ENV 8.1 (Meet State Emission Reduction Targets) to reflect the latest State and BAAQMD GHG emissions targets of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (pursuant to SB 32) and carbon neutrality by 2045 (pursuant to AB 1279).

Mitigation Measure GHG-2: Revise General Plan Program O to include details related to adoption and Implementation of a Climate Action Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds
The City shall add further details to 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program O (Climate Action) that state the following:

The City shall adopt the Pleasant Hill Climate Action Plan by end of 2024 and include targets that reflect those set by SB 32 to reduce GHG emissions by 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030 and AB 1279 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Implementation measures in the CAP to achieve the 2030 and 2045 targets shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Develop and adopt Zero Net Energy requirements for new and remodeled residential and non-residential development;
 Develop and adopt a building electrification ordinance for existing and proposed structures;
 Expand charging infrastructure and parking for electric vehicles;  Implement carbon sequestration by expanding the urban forest, participating in soil-based or compost application sequestration initiatives, supporting regional open space protection, and/or incentivizing rooftop gardens; and
 Implement policies and measures included in the 2017 and 2022 California Climate Change Scoping Plans, such as mobile source strategies for increasing clean transit options and zero emissions vehicles by providing electric vehicle charging stations.

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plan update.

B. Emission Reduction Plans
Threshold: Would the Project conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.6-25 – 3.6-37) Explanation: See above Emissions Generation.

J. CULTURAL RESOURCES

1. Historical Resources
Threshold: Would the Project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, section 15064.5? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, p. 3.4- 3.4-22) Explanation: Construction
One known historical resource that is listed in NRHP and CRHR and located within Pleasant Hill (the General Plan area) is the Patrick Rogers Farm. In addition to this known historical resource, there may be other yet unidentified resources within the General Plan area that are age-eligible for listing in the NRHP, CRHR, or locally. Although there are no specific development projects associated with the 2040 General Plan, implementation of the proposed plan would guide development extent and distribution within the General Plan area through the year 2040. The 2040 General Plan would facilitate development of residential, commercial, office, institutional, and industrial land uses that could in turn result in the conversion of existing properties and structures to new uses. With relatively limited opportunities for new development in Pleasant Hill, the 2040 General Plan emphasizes infill and reuse development within the City limits and encourages higher-density and mixed-use projects where appropriate.

Construction associated with such potential future development may include site preparation, demolition, and other construction activities.

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an 18-year planning period through 2040, during which additional structures would become age-eligible in terms of a potential historical resource. As such, such activities have the potential to result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of identified or potential historical resources.

Effects on historical resources are only knowable once a specific project has been proposed, because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual project site conditions, project activities that may alter the character of a built environment resource, and/or the characteristics of the proposed ground‐disturbing activity. Demolition or other structural alteration associated with development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan has the potential to impair historical built-environment resources.

Consequently, damage to or destruction of historical resources could occur as a result of development under the proposed 2040 General Plan. In order to ensure that development within the General Plan area does not have a detrimental effect on historical resources, each project would need to be assessed as it is proposed.

Proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-6 and its associated policies and implementation program, listed below, would reduce potential impacts related to historical resources.

Goal ENV-6 Maintain designated historic sites and structures.

Policy ENV-6.1 Community Education Work with the Pleasant Hill Library, community partners, and Contra Costa County Historical Society to obtain, maintain and display historical reference materials that provide educational background on the history of Pleasant Hill.

Policy ENV-6.2 Historic Structures. Encourage the maintenance and preservation of historic structures and appropriately designate historic sites and structures.

Program M Identify Historic and Cultural Sites. Update the historic and cultural resources survey to identify historic or cultural sites eligible for resource protection, with specific consideration of structures 45 years and older.

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impaired by future development that would be carried out under the 2040 General Plan. While Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation would reduce impacts to the greatest extent feasible in cases where compliance with the Standards or avoidance is not possible, legal precedent has established that such a measure cannot mitigate impacts to a level of less than significant, because the loss of historical fabric cannot be readily compensated for by commemorative mitigation. Therefore, construction 2040 General Plan impacts related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable with mitigation.

Operation
Given that impacts to historical resources occurs during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impact related to historical resources.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure CR-1: Revise General Plan Implementation Program M to Include Preparation of Historical Resources Evaluation prior to Approval for Projects Involving Buildings 45 Years or Older and Implementation of Mitigation prior to and during Construction The City shall revise 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program M to include that, in addition to updating the existing historical and cultural resources survey, a historical resources evaluation shall be prepared prior to approval of a project carried out under the 2040 General Plan involving the demolition or substantial alteration of a building, structure, object, or other built environment feature that is 45 years of age or older.

The City shall add further details to 2040 General Plan Program M that state the following:
 The evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in architectural history or history (as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Part 61). The qualified architectural historian or historian shall conduct an intensive-level evaluation in accordance with the guidelines and best practices promulgated by the State Office of Historic Preservation to identify potential historical resources within the proposed development site. All properties 45 years of age or older shall be evaluated within their historic context and documented in a report meeting the State Office of Historic Preservation guidelines.

All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report shall be Findings

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submitted to the City for review and concurrence. If the property is already listed in the NRHP or CRHR, the historical resources evaluation described above shall not be required.
 If historical resources are identified within the site of a proposed development, efforts shall be made to the extent feasible to ensure that impacts are mitigated. Application of mitigation shall generally be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the Professional Qualification Standards, unless unnecessary in the circumstances (e.g., preservation in place). In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, the historical resources evaluation report shall also identify and specify the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities.
 Efforts shall be made to the greatest extent feasible to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration of the resource is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.

If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Standards and or avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be established and undertaken.

Mitigation measures may include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey (HABS) report, or equivalent. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation and shall generally follow the HABS Level III requirements, including digital photographic recordation, detailed historic narrative report, and compilation of historic research. The documentation shall be completed by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualification Standards and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.

K. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
(a) Emissions Generation
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Threshold: Would the Project generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? Finding: Less than significant. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.6-26 - 3.6-37) Explanation:

Construction contractors are required to comply with the provisions of CCR Title 13, sections 2449 and 2485, prohibiting diesel-fueled commercial and off-road vehicles from idling for more than five minutes, minimizing unnecessary GHG emissions. Construction equipment would be subject to the USEPA Construction Equipment Fuel Efficiency Standard, which would minimize inefficient fuel consumption and thus GHG emissions.

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project GHG emissions. Therefore, the evaluation of GHG emissions impacts associated with implementation of the 2040 General Plan is focused on operational emissions, discussed below.

Goal LU-3 To provide a variety of housing types that offer choices for Pleasant Hill residents and create complete, livable neighborhoods.

Policy LU-3.2 Connectivity. Encourage new residential and mixed-use development to incorporate design features that promote walking within neighborhoods and citywide.

Policy LU-3.4 Clustering Development. Encourage new residential development to be clustered to support increased densities, open space, and efficiencies of public facilities and services.

Goal LU-4 To ensure that commercial and mixed-use development in the city is consistent with the overall community character and serves the existing and future needs of residents and visitors.

Policy LU-4.3 Neighborhood Connectivity. Encourage commercial and mixeduse development to link to adjoining residential neighborhoods by incorporating well-designed and attractive streetscapes with sidewalks, bicycle paths, and street amenities.

Goal LU-6 Create distinct and identifiable places for future development within Pleasant Hill that enhance community character, prosperity, and civic Findings

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pride.

Policy LU-6.16 Walkable Environment. Enhance the pedestrian connections between Downtown, Crescent Drive, City Hall, and adjacent commercial centers along Contra Costa Boulevard.

Policy LU-6.25 Transit-Oriented Development. Encourage the design and development of transit-oriented developments along Contra Costa Boulevard to support future transportation system enhancements.

Policy LU-6.31 Increased Residential Development. Support increased residential development along Contra Costa Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects.

Policy LU-6.48 Pedestrian Connectivity. Require Monument Boulevard pedestrian upgrades including signalized crossings, bulb outs, and expanded sidewalks.

Policy LU-6.53 Increased Residential Development. Support increased residential development along Monument Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects.

Goal LU-7 Improve the health and well-being of all Pleasant Hill residents.

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Policy LU-7.3 Remove Physical Barriers. Remove or plan for ways to address physical barriers that bisect neighborhoods and discourage walking or biking.

Goal TC-1 Establish and maintain a safe and efficient circulation system that emphasizes the use of existing arterial and collector roadways, paths, and bike lanes.

Goal TC-2 Improve traffic circulation along the city roadway network.

Policy TC-2.6 Safe Routes to School (SR2S). Establish a Safe Routes to School program in collaboration with the school districts and private schools that identifies and promotes suggested routes to school and incentivizes students and parents to use alternative transportation modes for school commutes.

Goal TC-4 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through land use planning.

Policy TC-4.4 Infill Development. Support infill and development in existing urban areas and around key transit facilities.

Goal TC-5 Support a vibrant, walkable environment that encourages alternative (nondriving) modes of transportation.

Policy TC-5.1 Evaluate Multimodal Facility Needs. Evaluate the needs of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities and/or access for new development as part of the Findings

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review process, and require new development to incorporate transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access where feasible and appropriate, consistent with the Circulation Element and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (when adopted).

Goal TC-6 Reduce reliance on the automobile by promoting alternative modes of transportation.

Policy TC-6.4 Amenities for Non-Driving Modes of Transportation. Require new development with more than 10 housing units or over 5,000 square feet of nonresidential uses to include amenities that encourage active modes of transportation that reduce pollution or VMT as a benefit to the community (e.g., bicycle lockers/racks, showers, dedicated vanpool or carpool parking areas, dedicated shuttle services, e-bike charging stations innovative bus shelter designs).

Policy TC-6.5 Encourage Development of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure.

Encourage development of infrastructure (public and private) to support the use of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.

Policy TC-8.1 Complete Streets Principles. Apply complete streets principles when building new, or rehabilitating existing, roadways, consider the following Findings

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design elements:

Sidewalks and curbs as a standard design principle.

Bicycle lanes and/or shared lanes as a standard design principle.

Transit accessibility as a standard design principle.

Policy TC-8.3 Regional Complete Streets Planning. Coordinate internally and with other agencies to plan for the provision of complete streets regionally.

Policy TC-8.4 Multi-Modal Roadways. Consider the needs of vehicles, bicycle, and pedestrians on all city roadways and facilities.

Policy TC-8.6 Wide Sidewalks for Shared Use. Provide wide sidewalks to allow shared use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized modes of transportation as directed by the City Engineer.

Goal TC-9 Prioritize a safe and connected pedestrian network for users of all ages and abilities.

Policy TC-9.3 Enhance Pedestrian Crossings. Enhance pedestrian crossings on all arterial and collector roadways.

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Policy TC-9.5 Sidewalk Guidelines and Standards. Establish sidewalk standards and guidelines for enhancing existing sidewalk and installation of new sidewalks.

Policy TC-9.7 Enhance Street Lighting. Enhance street lighting to provide for better pedestrian safety.

Policy TC-9.8 Sidewalk Improvements. Improve sidewalks to facilitate access by users of all ages and abilities.

Goal TC-11 Increase the number of bicycle and pedestrian trips by users of all ages and abilities.

Policy TC-11.2 Street Design. Require street cross-sections to accommodate bicyclists, micro-mobility users, and pedestrians.

Policy TC-11.3 Protected Bicycle Facilities. Consider incorporating protected bicycle and pedestrian facilities in higher density land use areas and along major transportation corridors to the greatest extent feasible.

Goal TC-13 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through non-automobile transportation.

Policy TC-13.3 Support County Connection Improvements. Support County Connection to improve all types of accessibility and comfort for their Findings

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facilities and to incorporate intermodal facilities where feasible.

Policy TC-13.4 Transit for Commuters and Special Needs Populations.

Work with transit providers and other regional TDM entities to promote and incentivize use of transit for commuters, seniors, students, and persons with disabilities.

Policy TC-13.5 Senior Van Service. Maintain the City's Senior Van Service for residents over the age of 55, subject to the availability of funding.

Goal TC-15 Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle trip lengths and manage vehicle congestion through a comprehensive program of transportation resources and services.

Policy TC-15.1 TDM Alternatives. Meet the increased transportation needs of the community with TDM alternatives.

Policy TC-15.2 Require TDM Programs. Require new development to implement appropriate TDM programs to encourage walking, biking, carpooling, and transit use, and to reduce vehicle trips.

Policy TC-15.6 TDM Measures for Non-Residential Land Uses.

Encourage measures to reduce vehicular trips and vehicle-miles travelled (VMT).

Examples are the provision of on-site childcare and after-school care facilities, and on-site modular mini-conference rooms for virtual meetings.

Program G Non-automobile Commute Incentives. Prepare an analysis of potential incentives to encourage City employees to commute to work using alternative means, including BART and bus passes, ridesharing, van pooling, and secure bicycle storage facilities.

Program I Complete Streets Best Practices. Develop and apply a complete streets best practices checklist to guide the design and review of proposed transportation improvement projects incorporating appropriate provisions from standard reference guidelines from federal, state and local sources (e.g., Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, MTC, ABAG, ITE, etc.) Program J Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan. Update every seven (7) years the Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan to specify bicycle and pedestrian facility networks, and to identify and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian facility needs in the city.

Program N Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Standards. Prepare updated design standards and upgrades for bicycle and pedestrian facilities consistent with the Findings

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Program P Incentivized Reduced Vehicle Trips. Create incentives for existing employers to reduce their vehicle trips.

Program R Transportation Demand Management System. Develop a transportation demand management program checklist and seek to fund TDM fee.

Program U Bike Route Connectivity. Develop and sign a network or bicycle routes that provide connectivity between homes, job centers, schools, and other frequently visited destinations.

Goal ENV-7 Meet or exceed State and Federal Air quality standards.

Policy ENV-7.4 Landscape Equipment. Prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment and publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies.

Goal ENV-8 Become a low carbon community that strives to exceed State GHG reduction goals by 2040.

Policy ENV-8.1 Meet State Emission Reduction Targets. Reduce GHG emissions at a rate that meets the long-term State target to reduce emissions by at least 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040.

Policy ENV-8.2 Health and Economic Benefits. Prioritize implementation of GHG reduction projects that provide health and economic benefits for the community.

Policy ENV-8.3 Municipal GHG Reduction. Implement cost-effective GHG reduction strategies for City facilities and operations.

Policy ENV-8.5 GHG Thresholds. Require new development projects that would exceed GHG thresholds to feasibly mitigate all GHG emissions and locally Findings

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offset any remaining GHG emissions that exceed the threshold consistent with the City standards.

Policy ENV-8.7 Grant Funding. Seek grant funding to support implementation of GHG reduction projects in municipal facilities, including rebates and other incentive opportunities.

Policy ENV-8.8 Preferences for Firms Using Reduced-emissions Equipment. Give preference for City contracts to firms using reduced-emissions equipment, including for services such as trash collection and landscaping.

Goal ENV-9 Improve efficiency and conservation in all development.

Policy ENV-9.1 Energy Conservation Education. Partner with utility providers to educate residents, employers, and business owners/managers on the energy conservation programs available.

Policy ENV-9.3 Local Partnerships. Partner with local businesses and organizations to secure grants and incentives that facilitate energy efficiency and renewable energy production.

Policy ENV-9.4 Municipal Buildings Efficiency and Conservation.

Require the design new public buildings to exceed State standards for water and energy efficiency.

Policy ENV-9.5 Battery Energy Storage Systems. Encourage battery energy storage systems as an option for optimizing the management of electricity generated by renewable resources.

Policy ENV-9.7 Energy-Efficient Lighting. Require public facilities to use energy-efficient lighting technology for outdoor and indoor spaces.

Program R Energy Conservation Education. Create a program to educate, Findings

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provide access to a clearinghouse of available grants, and other funding sources to promote energy conservation and the application of alternative energy technology.

Program C Energy Efficiency Public Campaign. Develop a public outreach campaign on the benefits of energy efficiency and what steps residents and businesses can take to be more energy efficient.

Program I Natural Gas Ban Study. Prepare a study to analyze the implementation of a natural gas ban for all new residential development.

Goal ENV-10 Become a low or zero-waste community with convenient and effective options for recycling, composting, and diverting waste from landfills.

Policy ENV-10.4 Composting Equipment. Provide composting equipment at community facilities and events to encourage public and commercial composting.

Policy ENV-10.5 Recycled Building Materials. Encourage new development projects to use recycled building materials where cost-effective and structurally feasible.

Policy ENV-10.6 Building Salvage and Roadway Construction Projects.

Require maximization of building salvage and recycling in remodeling or building demolition or roadway reconstruction projects when issuing demolition and encroachment permits.

Policy ENV-10.7 Recycling and Waste Diversion. Evaluate recycling and waste diversion opportunities periodically to consider new opportunities to further increase waste diversion.

Policy ENV-10.9 Reduction of Non-Recyclable/Compostable Products.

Reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste in the community.

Policy ENV-10.10 On-Site Facilities in Existing Development. Require the City and encourage commercial businesses and business parks to install recycling Findings

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and compost receptacles on their premises
Policy ENV-10.11 Reduce Waste in Operations. Require the City and encourage residents and businesses to reuse products, choose post-consumer recycled content products, reduce packaging waste, and use non-toxic cleaning products to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Program O Climate Action Plan. Prepare a Climate Action Plan that addresses all changes in State law pertaining to climate change and emissions, as well as setting GHG threshold targets for the City.

Goal PFS-2 Ensure that adequate wastewater facilities and services are available to meet the needs of existing and future development.

Policy PFS-3.4 Retrofit for Green Infrastructure. Encourage the retrofit of existing development to include sustainable infrastructure and green building practices.

Goal PFS-4 Continue and improve upon efforts to divert waste from landfills.

Policy PFS-4.3 Recycle and Reuse Building Materials. Require the recycling and reuse of building materials during demolition and construction including roadway projects.

Goal E-6 Encourage the development and expansion of critical communications and transportation infrastructure.

Policy E-6.2 Transportation Systems. Encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, ride sharing hubs, and bike/scooter rental services to Findings

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support consumer interest in alternative transportation modes. Evaluate the changing needs for parking in commercial and mixed-use districts. Promote expansion of transit services.

In addition, the CARB 2022 Scoping Plan outlines a path to achieving carbon neutrality and reduction of anthropogenic GHG emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045 set under AB 1279. Furthermore, 2040 General Plan Implementation Program O in the Environment Element of the 2040 General Plan calls for the preparation of a climate action plan that addresses all changes in State law pertaining to climate change and emissions, as well as setting GHG threshold targets for the City. However, the City does not currently have a climate action plan and has not outlined methods and policies to meet the State2030 and 2045 targets or reduce total GHG emissions communitywide. As such, the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with the SB 32 GHG reduction target for 2030, the AB 1279 GHG reduction target for 2045, or the 2017 or 2022 California Climate Change Scoping Plans. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to consistency with State GHG reduction plans would be potentially significant.

Consistency with Regional GHG Reduction Regulations
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As discussed above, the 2040 General Plan would not comply with the 2022 BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for evaluating the significance of climate impacts, which requires an evaluation of whether the plan would meet State goals to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 or an evaluation of consistency with a qualified local GHG reduction strategy. While the 2040 General Plan includes Policy ENV 8.1 setting GHG emissions targets, since there is no qualified GHG reduction strategy specific to Pleasant Hill, there is no established mechanism for the City to demonstrate compliance. Furthermore, the targets listed in Policy ENV 8.1 are not currently in line with latest State and BAAQMD targets to reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. Therefore, 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to consistency with regional GHG reduction regulations would be potentially significant.

Overall
However, implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would provide Pleasant Hill with State- and BAAQMD-compliant GHG emissions targets as well as a local Climate Action Plan and CEQA GHG emissions thresholds that, all together, establish a communitywide GHG reduction target and provide an outline of how Pleasant Hill will meet the State targets of 40 percent reduction in GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045 as well as comply with regional BAAQMD CEQA GHG Thresholds. Until a Climate Action Plan is adopted, and CEQA GHG Thresholds are adopted, implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with BAAQMD GHG thresholds nor be consistent with State GHG reduction plans. Therefore, 2040 General Plan impacts related to generation of GHG emissions and consistency with GHG reduction plans and regulations are significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure GHG-1: Revise General Plan Policy ENV 8.1 to Reflect Latest State and BAAQMD GHG Emissions Targets
The City shall revise 2040 General Plan Environment Element Policy ENV

8.1 (Meet State Emission Reduction Targets) to reflect the latest State and BAAQMD GHG emissions targets of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (pursuant to SB 32) and carbon neutrality by 2045 (pursuant to AB 1279).

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Element Program O (Climate Action) that state the following:

The City shall also adopt Pleasant Hill CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds of Significance that are consistent with the Pleasant Hill Climate Action Plan by end of 2024 for use in future CEQA GHG emissions analyses through 2030 and consistent with SB 32. In addition, upon completion of future Climate Action Plan updates and as necessary, the City shall update the CEQA GHG emissions threshold of significance to be consistent with each climate action plan update.
(b) Emission Reduction Plans
Threshold: Would the Project conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases? Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.6-26 - 3.6-38) Explanation: See Emissions Generation Above.

L. HAZARDOUS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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(a) Emergency Plans
Threshold: Would the Project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.7-38 – 3.7-39) Explanation:

Construction
Potential construction related to implementation of the 2040 General Plan is expected to entail construction equipment and vehicles that would access and leave the plan area, which in turn could potentially temporarily impede evacuation or emergency vehicle access. However, as discussed under Impact TRA-4 in Section 3.12, Transportation, the proposed plan would result in less than significant impacts related to emergency vehicle access.

In addition, the proposed plan would comply with the Contra Costa County Emergency Operation Plan and Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, ensuring efficient response to emergency incidents associated with emergencies affecting Pleasant Hill. In addition, future projects that would undergo project-level CEQA review would prepare a construction management plan to ensure adequate transportation circulation and access throughout the construction period. Therefore, construction impacts related to emergency response and evacuation would be less than significant.

Operation
Contra Costa County implements the Contra Costa County EOP, which addresses the response to emergency incidents associated with emergencies affecting Contra Costa County, including Pleasant Hill. The County EOP establishes the emergency management organization for emergency response, establishes operational concepts associated with emergency management, and provides a flexible platform for planning emergency response in the County. Consistent with the County EOP goals (Save Lives, Protect Property, Preserve the Environment, and Restore Essential Services) and objectives (Mitigate Hazards, Meet Basic Human Needs, Address Needs of People with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs, and Support Community and Economic Recovery), development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would provide two vehicle access points and adequate fire truck and apparatus turning radii and clearance for purposes of adequate emergency access and response within Pleasant Hill.

As such, implementation of emergency response and evacuation procedures would not be affected as a result of development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan. Compliance with the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policies and program would reduce potential Findings

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impediment of implementation of wildfire emergency response and evacuation:

HS-3.8Adequate Water Pressure. Coordinate with local water districts to seek funding and implement the necessary infrastructure upgrades to provide adequate water pressure to supply required fire suppression systems in existing and future development projects.

HS-3.11 Evacuation Routes. The City shall collaborate with Contra Costa County and neighboring cities as a part of the next Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update to identify evacuation routes in the event of wildfires or other natural disasters in compliance with AB 747 and SB 99.

Program H Contra Costa County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City shall actively participate in the next update of the Contra Costa Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan that, among other outcomes, will identify evacuation routes in the city in compliance with AB 747 and SB 99.

These 2040 General Plan policies requiring adequate fire suppression water pressure and identified wildfire evacuation routes as well as the County EOP would ensure coordination among federal, State, and local plans and agencies, adequate public and interagency communication during hazard events, and providing evacuation assistance for those with limited mobility or lack of access to a vehicle for evacuation.

The 2040 General Plan does not propose physical changes such as realigned or closed-off roadways or changes in general transportation circulation and access that would interfere or impair emergency response or evacuation within or through the plan areas. As such, the proposed plan would also not result in changes to emergency evacuation routes such that use of an evacuation route, including I-680 and SR-24, would be hindered.

Development facilitated by the proposed plan would accommodate future population growth and would increase vehicle miles traveled in the City.

This could lead to increased roadway congestion during emergency evacuations. However, the City would review and approve projects within the plans areas to ensure that emergency access meets City standards.

Development facilitated by the proposed plan would also comply with road standards and are reviewed by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to ensure development would not interfere with evacuation routes and would not impede the effectiveness of evacuation plans.

Although the 2040 General Plan includes policies and programs that would address emergency response and emergency evacuation, guidance resulting from compliance with AB 747 and SB 99 is not currently available. As such, the 2040 General Plan operational impacts related to impairment of an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan would be Findings

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significant and unavoidable and no feasible mitigation would reduce this impact.

Mitigation Measures
No feasible mitigation exists.
(b) Wildland Fires
Threshold: Would the Project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands?
Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation:

Construction
Impacts related to wildfire hazard risks affecting people, structures, or emergency response and evacuation plans are limited to operational impacts. No construction impacts would occur.

Operation
Pleasant Hill (i.e., the General Plan area) contains some steep terrain and is located near open space areas in the westernmost portion. Briones Regional Park directly abuts the western edge of the General Plan area. Pleasant Hill is not located in or near a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in or near a State Responsibility Area (VHFHSZ); the nearest VHFHSZ in a State Responsibility Area is located approximately four miles west of the General Plan area. However, there is a high fire hazard severity zone in a Local Responsibility Area located within the southwestern portion of Pleasant Hill City Limits and in areas adjacent to City Limits within the Pleasant Hill Sphere of Influence and further to the west.

Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would be subject to the California Fire Code, which includes safety measures to minimize the threat of fire such as noncombustible or ignition-resistant building materials for exterior from the surface of the ground to the roof system and sealing any gaps around doors, windows, eaves, and vents to prevent intrusion by flame or embers. Fire sprinklers would also be required in residential developments pursuant to the Contra Costa County Code and Chapter 14.05 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code. Construction would also be required to meet CBC requirements, including CCR Title 24, Part 2, which includes specific requirements related to exterior wildfire exposure. In addition, the Board of Forestry, via CCR Title 14, sets forth the minimum development Findings

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standards for emergency access, fuel modification, setback, signage, and water supply; this help prevent loss of structures or life by reducing access limitations for purposes of accessing and suppressing wildfire locations.

Furthermore, the Board of Forestry, via CCR Title 14, sets forth the minimum development standards for emergency access, fuel modification, setback, signage, and water supply, which help prevent loss of structures or life by reducing wildfire hazards.

Section 3.13, Utilities and Service Systems, discusses the Urban Water Management Plans for both CCWD and EBMUD and determined that there are sufficient water supplies to accommodate the anticipated population growth throughout their respective service areas according to ABAG Plan Bay Area 2040 projections. In addition, the General Plan area is located in urbanized parts of both the CCWD and EBMUD service areas. As discussed under Impact UTIL-2, there would be sufficient water supplies available to serve the 2040 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years. In compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the California Building Standards Code (CBC), development facilitated under both plans would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location, and distribution criteria. Additionally, the 2040 General Plan Safety Element includes proposed Policy PFS-1.6 that requires coordination with water providers to maintain adequate water supply for the community.

Other impacts related to wildfire that would result from specific project development characteristics would be considered when the City reviews those specific development proposals.

In addition, compliance with the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policies would also help reduce potential wildfire risk to people and structures and wildfire exacerbation:

Goal HS-3 Minimize the threat to people, property, and the environment from fire hazards.

HS-3.1Fire Protection District Enhancement. Enhance the ability of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to respond to and suppress fires.

HS-3.2Weed abatement and Fire-Resistant Landscaping. Require annual weed and other fuel abatement and promote the installation of fire-resistant landscaping in new and existing development.

HS-3.3Homeowner Education. Educate homeowners of defensible space requirements and recommendations per Cal Fire, including programs to aid in removal of excess vegetation and improve home wildfire resiliency.

HS-3.4Fire Safety Improvements. Develop guidelines for fire safety improvements for existing and new commercial buildings and encourage upgrades Findings

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where possible.

HS-3.5Defensible Space Inspections. Coordinate with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to require annual home and business inspections to ensure proper defensible space is maintained at properties near grasslands and very high wildfire hazard severity zones.

HS-3.6Interjurisdictional Coordination. Coordinate with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, East Bay Regional Park Fire Department, and other neighboring fire departments to reduce fire hazards and promote fire safety in and around Pleasant Hill.

HS-3.7Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Ensure the Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan as it applies to Pleasant Hill is up to date with changes in State hazard legislation and lessons learned from recent wildfire related disasters.

HS-3.9Weed and Fuel Abatement. Coordinate with landowners to ensure that weed and other fuel abatement occurs in an effective and timely manner.

HS-3.10 Municipal Code Maintenance. Ensure the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code is kept up to date on State and Federal requirements, best practices, and City processes regarding wildfire prevention design standards and requirements.

Nonetheless, given that the General Plan area and adjacent areas have some areas of steep terrain surrounded by or containing vegetation and that proposed plan could result in additional above-ground electrical lines to serve increased development, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan could be prone to and exacerbate wildfires. And with California experiencing severe drought, the open space areas in and adjacent to Pleasant Hill can experience higher fuel loads in the form of dry vegetation, and higher fuel loads combined with winds could result in the spread of wildfire to proximate development within the General Plan area. Existing codes and regulations cannot guarantee that wildfires would not occur or damage structures and harm occupants. This represents a significant wildfire exposure and exacerbation risk impact. With implementation of Mitigation Measures HAZ-1, HAZ-2, and HAZ-3, the risk of loss of structures and the risk of injury or death due to wildfires would be reduced.

These measures would make structures more fire resistant and less vulnerable to loss in the event of a wildfire as well as reduce the potential for construction to inadvertently ignite a wildfire. However, even with mitigation, it is not possible to prevent a significant risk of wildfires or fully protect people and structures from the risks of wildfires. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan operational impact related to wildfire exposure and exacerbation risk would be significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measures
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Mitigation Measure HAZ-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy for Construction Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:

The City shall require the following measures during project construction:

1. Construction activities with potential to ignite wildfires shall be prohibited during red-flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service for the site. Example activities include welding and grinding outside of enclosed buildings.

2. Fire extinguishers shall be available onsite during project construction. Fire extinguishers shall be maintained to function according to manufacturer specifications. Construction
personnel shall receive training on the proper methods of using a fire extinguisher.

3. Construction equipment powered by internal combustion engines shall be equipped with spark arresters. The spark arresters shall be maintained pursuant to manufacturer
recommendations to ensure adequate performance.

At the City’s discretion, additional wildfire risk reduction requirements may be required during construction. The City shall review and approve the project-specific methods to be employed prior to building permit approval.

Mitigation Measure HAZ-: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy for Project Design Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:

Project landscape plans (as made available when project applications are submitted) shall include fire-resistant vegetation native to Contra Costa County and/or the local microclimate of the site and prohibit the use of fire-prone species especially non-native, invasive species.

If the project site is within a known landslide area (see Figure 3.5-5 in Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources), the site shall be subject to geotechnical review regarding potential post-fire slope instability. Structural engineering features incorporated into the design of a structure to reduce the risk of damage to the structure from post-fire slope instability shall be recommended by a qualified engineer and approved by the City prior to the building permit approval.

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Mitigation Measure HAZ-3: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy to Conduct Project Design Review for Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:

Project landscape plans shall include fire-resistant vegetation native to Contra Costa County and/or the local microclimate of the site and prohibit the use of fire-prone species especially non-native, invasive species. If the project site is within a known landslide area, the site shall be subject to geotechnical review regarding potential post-fire slope instability. Structural engineering features incorporated into the design of the structure to reduce the risk of damage to the structure from post-fire slope instability shall be recommended by a qualified engineer and approved by the City prior to the building permit approval.

M. NOISE

1. Noise Standards
Threshold: Would the Project result in the generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, p. 3.10-20 – 3.10-35) Explanation:

Construction
Noise from individual construction projects facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would temporarily increase noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive receptors. Since at this stage of planning, project-level details are not available for future projects that would be carried out under the 2040 General Plan, it is not possible to determine exact noise levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects, or construction noise at adjacent properties. However, noise estimates for typical construction activities have been provided below.

Construction activities would generate noise from phases such as demolition, site preparation, grading, building construction, and paving activities. Each phase of construction has a specific equipment mix and associated noise characteristics, depending on the equipment used during that phase. Construction noise would typically be higher during the more equipment-intensive phases of initial construction (i.e., demolition, site Findings

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preparation, and grading work) and would be lower during the later construction phases (i.e., building construction and paving). Error! Reference source not found. (Draft EIR, p. 3.10-20) illustrates typical noise levels associated with construction equipment at a distance of 50 feet and 100 feet.

Neither the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code nor the 2040 General Plan contain quantitative limits for construction noise. In lieu of City-specific standards, the FTA criteria for assessing construction noise impacts are used. For residential uses, the FTA daytime noise threshold is 80 dBA Leq (8 hour) for an 8-hour period.

Noise would typically drop off at a rate of about 6 dBA per doubling of distance. Therefore, noise levels would be about 6 dBA lower than shown in Error! Reference source not found. at 200 feet from the noise source and 12 dBA lower at a distance of 400 feet from the noise source. As shown in these noise levels, construction noise may exceed the FTA’s daytime noise threshold, depending on the equipment used and the distance in which the equipment is operating compared to noise-sensitive receptors.

Since at this stage of planning, project-level details are not available for future projects that would facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, it is not possible to determine exact noise levels, locations, or time periods for construction of such projects, or construction noise at adjacent properties.

Therefore, construction noise levels associated with future projects may exceed the FTA’s daytime construction noise limits, and impacts would be potentially significant.

Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1 would reduce 2040 General Plan construction noise impacts associated with future discretionary projects in Pleasant Hill. However, as exact details of future project-specific construction activities are unknown at this stage of planning, construction noise could still exceed the daytime significance threshold or potentially need to occur during the more sensitive nighttime hours for concrete pours or pumps that need to run overnight for water resources projects.

Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1 would not ensure that construction noise impacts would be reduced to below the significance threshold of 80 dBA Leq during the daytime at residential uses and other sensitive receptors in all cases. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan construction noise impact would be significant and unavoidable. It should be noted that the identification of this program-level impact does not preclude the finding of less-than-significant impacts for subsequent projects analyzed at the project level. .

Operation
Stationary Operational Noise
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Stationary sources of noises may occur on all types of land uses. Residential uses would generate noise from landscaping, maintenance activities, and mechanical equipment such as ground-level and rooftop ventilation and heating (HVAC) systems. Commercial uses would generate noise from HVAC systems, loading docks, and other sources. Industrial uses may generate noise from HVAC systems, loading docks, and possibly machinery. Other noise generated by residential or commercial uses such as conversations and parking lot activity is generally short and intermittent.

Industrial uses may generate noise on a more continual basis. Nightclubs, outdoor dining areas, gas stations, car washes, fire stations, drive-throughs, swimming pool pumps, school playgrounds, athletic and music events, and public parks are other common noise sources. The proposed Hazards and Safety Element contains goals, policies, and programs that require local planning and development decisions to consider noise-related impacts from stationary sources.

The following proposed General Plan 2040 goal, policies, and programs would minimize potential adverse noise-related impacts from stationary sources.

Goal HS-7 Ensure the community is protected from noise that interferes with human activity or causes health problems.

Policy HS-7.1 Noise Level Standards. Require new development to be designed and constructed to meet acceptable noise level standards adopted by the City.

Policy HS-7.2 Noise Impact Mitigation. Evaluate the noise impacts of new development based on the potential for significant increases in noise levels, in addition to compliance with acceptability standards and require mitigation, if necessary, to comply with City noise standards.

Policy HS-7.5 Noise Restrictions in Commercial and Industrial Developments.

Require new commercial and industrial developments adjacent to residential uses to reduce potential noise impacts to comply with City noise standards.

Program O Establish Acoustical Study Requirement Areas. Prepare acoustical study requirements based on the City noise contour map that will determine when acoustic studies shall be required for sensitive land uses.

Program P Noise Level Standards. Amend Municipal Code Chapter 9.15 to establish clear, measurable, and acceptable exterior noise level standards for all new developments and additions, including capital improvement projects. The amended Findings

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Chapter shall include procedures to measure and monitor noise, and enforcement procedures.

Program R Noise in Residential Areas. Amend the City noise ordinance to prohibit activities such as garbage and recycling pickup, parking lot vacuuming in residential areas, and the use of all landscape equipment.

Implementation of these policies would ensure that noise from new developments is analyzed and mitigated to acceptable levels prior to project approval. Noise impacts from operational use of residential-scale HVAC units, industrial equipment, and other stationary noise sources would be reduced by proposed 2040 General Plan policies. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan stationary operational noise impact would be less than significant.

Mobile Operational Noise
Implementation of the 2040 General Plan would allow additional buildout, which would generate new vehicle trips that could incrementally increase the exposure of land uses along roadways to operation roadway vehicle noise. Error! Reference source not found. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.10-23) shows the 60, 65, and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours from roadways and highways for 2040 roadway vehicle scenarios. The complete distances to the 70, 65, and 60 dBA CNEL noise contours for roadway segments are included in Appendix D. Error! Reference source not found. shows the estimated roadway vehicle noise level increases on study roadway segments over existing conditions at 50 feet from the centerline of the nearest travel lane.

As shown in Error! Reference source not found., significant roadway vehicle noise increases are estimated along Taylor Boulevard west of Contra Costa Boulevard, Contra Costa Boulevard north of Beth Drive, Taylor Boulevard east of Alhambra Avenue, Taylor Boulevard west of Alhambra Avenue, Gregory Lane west of Cleaveland Road, and Contra Costa Boulevard north of Monument Boulevard. Along all other roadway study segments, roadway vehicle noise increases would be less than significant.

The following proposed 2040 General Plan policies and program would reduce roadway vehicle noise:

Policy LU-6.55 Freeway Buffering. Encourage additional
Ellinwood Way buffering techniques to mitigate potential noise impacts from Interstate 680 on future mixed-use development.

Policy HS-7.3 Transportation Agency Cooperation. Proactively cooperate with transportation agencies, including Caltrans and CCTA, to reduce noise from existing and future transportation facilities, including Findings

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the development of noise reduction strategies related to the design and location of all facilities.

Program QDialogue with Caltrans. Encourage Caltrans to resurface all designated concrete roads within the City to reduce vehicle noise.

In addition, the following proposed 2040 General Plan goals, policies, and implementation programs would encourage active transportation modes, such as walking and bicycling, as well as the use of public transit, thereby reducing vehicle trips and roadway vehicle noise in Pleasant Hill.

Goal LU-3 To provide a variety of housing types that offer choices for Pleasant Hill residents and create complete, livable neighborhoods.

Policy LU-3.2 Connectivity. Encourage new residential and mixed-use development to incorporate design features that promote walking within neighborhoods and citywide.

Goal LU-6 Create distinct and identifiable places for future development within Pleasant Hill that enhance community character, prosperity, and civic pride.

Policy LU-6.16 Walkable Environment. Enhance the pedestrian connections between Downtown, Crescent Drive, City Hall, and adjacent commercial centers along Contra Costa Boulevard.

Policy LU-6.25 Transit-Oriented Development. Encourage the design and development of transit-oriented developments along Contra Costa Boulevard to support future transportation system enhancements.

Policy LU-6.48 Pedestrian Connectivity. Require Monument Boulevard pedestrian upgrades including signalized crossings, bulb outs, and expanded sidewalks.

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Goal LU-7 Improve the health and well-being of all Pleasant Hill residents.

Policy LU-7.3 Remove Physical Barriers. Remove or plan for ways to address physical barriers that bisect neighborhoods and discourage walking or biking.

Goal TC-1 Establish and maintain a safe and efficient circulation system that emphasizes the use of existing arterial and collector roadways, paths, and bike lanes.

Goal TC-2 Improve traffic circulation along the city roadway network.

Goal TC-4 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through land use planning.

Policy TC-4.4 Infill Development. Support infill and development in existing urban areas and around key transit facilities.

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urban design measures.

Goal TC-5 Support a vibrant, walkable environment that encourages alternative (non-driving) modes of transportation.

Goal TC-6 Reduce reliance on the automobile by promoting alternative modes of transportation.

Goal TC-12 Strive to eliminate all fatal and serious injury bicycle and pedestrian related crashes.

Policy TC-12.6 Bike Route Connectivity. Develop and sign a network of bicycle routes that provide connectivity between homes, job centers, schools and other frequently visited destinations.

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Policy TC-12.7 Emphasis on Walking and Biking. Encourage more people to walk and bicycle for a variety of purposes.

Policy TC-12.8 Bicycle Parking. Support the expansion of the bicycle parking network in Pleasant Hill.

Policy TC-12.11 Commute Information. Promote 511 Contra Costa alternative commute mode materials to encourage reduced reliance on vehicular use.

Goal TC-13 Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through non-automobile transportation.

Goal TC-15 Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle trip lengths and manage vehicle congestion through a comprehensive program of transportation resources and services.

Policy TC-15.1 TDM Alternatives. Meet the increased transportation needs of the community with TDM alternatives.

Policy TC-15.2 Require TDM Programs. Require new development to implement appropriate TDM programs to encourage walking, biking, carpooling, and transit use, and to reduce vehicle trips.

Policy TC-15.6 TDM Measures for Non-Residential Land Uses.

Encourage measures to reduce vehicular trips and vehicle-miles travelled (VMT).

Examples are the provision of on-site childcare and after-school care facilities, and on-site modular mini-conference rooms for virtual meetings.

Transportation & Circulation Element Implementation Programs Program GNon-automobile Commute Incentives. Prepare an analysis of potential incentives to encourage City employees to commute to work using alternative means, including BART and bus passes, ridesharing, Findings

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van pooling, and secure bicycle storage facilities.

Program J Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Update every seven (7) years the Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan to specify bicycle and pedestrian facility networks, and to identify and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian facility needs in the city.

Program P Incentivized Reduced Vehicle Trips. Create incentives for existing employers to reduce their vehicle trips.

Program QPromote Carpools and Vanpools. Promote the use of carpools and vanpools by supporting and advertising services and programs implemented by 511ContraCosta.org, which operates transportation demand management (TDM) programs and services in the city.

Program RTransportation Demand Management System. Develop a transportation demand management program checklist and seek to fund TDM fee.

Program UBike Route Connectivity. Develop and sign a network or bicycle routes that provide connectivity between homes, job centers, schools, and other frequently visited destinations.

Implementation of these policies would reduce operational roadway vehicle trips and associated operational roadway vehicle noise to the extent feasible. However, implementation of these goals, policies, and implementation programs highlighted above would not guarantee that roadway vehicle noise would be below the thresholds of significance. As such, roadway vehicle noise impacts would be potentially significant, and Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would be required to minimize roadway vehicle noise impacts on roadways that would generate significant roadway vehicle noise increases.

Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would reduce operational roadway vehicle noise via potential use of sound barrier walls. With a cursory review of aerial depictions of the impacted segments, some of the residences around the plan area have direct access (via driveways) to the associated roadway. Therefore, barrier walls would prevent access to individual properties and would be infeasible. Further, these impacted homes are on private property outside of the control of future project developers, so there may be limited admittance onto these properties to construct such walls. In other locations, residential properties are higher in elevation than the roadway (e.g., Taylor Boulevard east of Alhambra Avenue) where barriers may not be effective. Lastly, the costs versus benefits ratio in relation to the number of benefitted households may not be reasonable in all cases.

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Implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would reduce operational roadway vehicle noise via potential use of special roadway paving.

Notable reductions in tire noise have been achieved via the implementation of special paving materials, such as rubberized asphalt or open-grade asphalt concrete overlays. For example, the California Department of Transportation conducted a study of pavement noise along Interstate 80 in Davis and found an average improvement of 6 to7 dBA reduction compared to conventional asphalt overlay. Although this amount of roadway vehicle noise reduction from rubberized/special asphalt materials would be sufficient to avoid the predicted noise increase due to roadway vehicles in some cases, the potential up-front and ongoing maintenance costs are such that the cost versus benefits ratio may not be reasonable. In addition, the study found that noise levels increased over time due to pavement degradation, with the chance of noise level increases higher after a ten-year period.

It is not known whether implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 would be feasible and reasonable in all cases to mitigate operational roadway vehicle noise levels to a less than significant level. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan mobile operational noise impact would be significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure NOI-1 Adopt and Implement a New
General Plan Policy to Update the Zoning Ordinance to Implement Construction Noise Reduction Measures
To minimize noise during construction, the City shall adopt the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy to update the Zoning Ordinance to include the following:

New Policy: Construction contractors shall implement the following measures for construction activities conducted within the City.

Construction plans submitted to the City shall include construction noise analysis and identify these measures on demolition, grading, and construction plans submitted to the City. The City of Pleasant Hill Building Division shall verify that grading, demolition, and/or construction plans submitted to the City include these notations prior to issuance of demolition, grading and/or building permits.

Mufflers. During excavation and grading construction
phases, all construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be operated with closed engine doors and shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers consistent with manufacturers’ standards.

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Stationary Equipment. All stationary construction
equipment shall be placed so that emitted noise is directed away from the nearest sensitive receivers.
 Equipment Staging Areas. Equipment staging shall be located in areas that will create the greatest distance feasible between construction-related noise sources and noise-sensitive receivers.  Smart Back-up Alarms. Mobile construction equipment shall have smart back-up alarms that automatically adjust the sound level of the alarm in response to ambient noise levels. Alternatively, backup alarms shall be disabled and replaced with human spotters to ensure safety when mobile construction equipment is moving in the reverse direction in compliance with applicable safety laws and regulations.
 Electrically-Powered Tools and Facilities. Electrical power shall be used to run air compressors and similar power tools and to power any temporary structures, such as construction trailers or caretaker facilities, where feasible.
 Noise Disturbance Coordinator. The project applicant shall designate a “noise disturbance coordinator” responsible for responding to any local complaints about construction noise. The disturbance coordinator shall determine the cause of any noise complaint and shall require that reasonable measures be implemented to correct the problem. A telephone number for the disturbance coordinator and the City shall be posted at the construction site.
 Temporary Noise Barriers. Erect temporary noise barriers, where feasible, when construction noise is predicted to exceed the acceptable standards (e.g., 80 dBA Leq at residential receivers, schools or other sensitive receptors during the daytime) and when the anticipated construction duration is greater than is typical (e.g., two years or greater). Temporary noise barriers shall be constructed with solid materials (e.g., wood) with a density of at least 1.5 pounds per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier.

If a sound blanket is used, barriers shall be constructed with solid material with a density of at least 1 pound per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier and be lined on the construction side with acoustical blanket, curtain or equivalent absorptive material rated sound transmission class (STC) 32 or higher.

Mitigation Measure NOI-2 Adopt and Implement a New
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Noise Reduction Measures
To reduce operational roadway vehicle noise, the City shall adopt the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy:
o New Policy: The City shall implement a fair share mitigation program or other means to fund the following measures for projects and plans operated on roadways within the City that would generate significant roadway vehicle noise increases.

Project plans submitted to the City shall include an
operational noise analysis and identify a project’s
contribution to roadway vehicle noise increases along
impacted roadways (Taylor Boulevard west of Contra Costa Boulevard, Contra Costa Boulevard north of Beth Drive,
Taylor Boulevard east of Alhambra Avenue, Taylor
Boulevard west of Alhambra Avenue, Gregory Lane west of Cleaveland Road, and Contra Costa Boulevard north of
Monument Boulevard). The operational noise analysis shall be prepared by a qualified acoustical consultant and shall specify, at a minimum, the estimated roadway vehicle noise increase from the project along impacted roadways. Based on a project’s contribution to roadway vehicle noise
increases on impacted roadways, the City shall determine the mitigation fee.

The City shall retain a qualified acoustical consultant to prepare a Citywide roadway vehicle noise mitigation analysis and make recommendations for the allocation of mitigation program funds.

The report shall specify, at a minimum, the specific locations, extent, height of sound walls, and other design details to reduce roadway vehicle noise impacts. Potential sound walls or other design features may include, but shall not be limited to, the following.
 Sound Barrier Walls. The City shall construct
sound barriers (e.g., walls or solid fences) along
impacted roadways where there are no driveways
that would break continuity, such as along the north
side of Taylor Boulevard west of Contra Costa
Boulevard, and along the residential portions or other
sensitive receptor locations of such roadways. The
sound barriers would be continuous from grade to
top, with no cracks or gaps, and have a minimum
surface density of four pounds per square foot and a
minimum height of six feet, as measured from the
base elevation; and/or
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 Special Roadway Paving. The City shall install
“quiet pavement” roadway improvements, such as
rubberized asphalt or open-grade asphalt concrete
overlays along impacted roadway segments (Taylor
Boulevard west of Contra Costa Boulevard, Contra
Costa Boulevard north of Beth Drive, Taylor
Boulevard east of Alhambra Avenue, Taylor
Boulevard west of Alhambra Avenue, Gregory Lane
west of Cleaveland Road, and Contra Costa
Boulevard north of Monument Boulevard) where
sound barriers are determined not to be feasible.
 The program shall be funded by developer
contributions for proposed projects along impacted
roadways to pay for the sound walls, “quiet
pavement” roadway improvements, or other noise
reduction measures.

N. PUBLIC SERVICES

1. Schools
Threshold: Would the Project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for schools?
Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.11-18 – 3.11-20) Explanation:

Construction
The 2040 General Plan would allow a net increase of approximately 19,216 residential units and facilitate the addition of 45,740 net new residents in Pleasant Hill. As a result, MDUSD could need to incrementally increase their school services to the City of Pleasant Hill through the year 2040, which could in turn require the construction of new facilities to accommodate subsequent students, staff, and facility space. In addition, the proposed plan would include 6,444,767 gross square feet of school uses.

The specific placement and potential impacts of the new school facilities are unknown at this time; if construction or expansion of future facilities are needed, separate environmental review would be required, which could result in development and implementation of future project-specific Findings

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construction-related mitigation measures. The 2040 General Plan facilitates development within areas of Pleasant Hill that are currently developed.

Therefore, construction of new school facilities, if required, would likely occur on property previously disturbed or developed and thus within the programmatic analysis for buildout under the 2040 General Plan as analyzed throughout this EIR. This would reduce the potential for adverse construction impacts associated with construction of new or expanded school facilities associated with implementation of the 2040 General Plan.

However, given the large amount of net new school facilities anticipated under the proposed plan and the significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, cultural resources, paleontological resources, and noise as discussed in Sections 3.2, Air Quality, 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, and 3.10, Noise, respectively, it is conservatively concluded that construction impacts related to new or expanded school facilities would be significant and unavoidable.

Operation
Table 3.11-5 summarizes the potential increase in student population for MDUSD that could occur as a result of the 2040 General Plan, using the generation rates identified in Table 3.11-2.

As shown above in Error! Reference source not found., buildout of the 2040 General Plan would add approximately 7,345 students to MDUSD by 2040.

Although MDUSD has experienced a decline in enrollment in the last several years, the addition of 7,345 school students within Pleasant Hill could exceed anticipated school district capacity. Such potential additional students would increase enrollment in schools in Pleasant Hill. However, the proposed plan would facilitate development a net increase of 6,444,767 gross square feet of schools.

In addition, the 2040 General Plan Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element of the 2040 General Plan includes the following policy specific to education and the provision of school facilities in the City:

Policy PFS-9.2 High Quality Education. Support the efforts of local educational institutions and school districts to provide high-quality education and facilities.

Policy PFS-9.5 Support of School Upgrades. Support upgrading and updating public educational institutions, facilities, additions and improvements.

Policy PFS-9.6 Collection of School Impact Fees. Continue to collect Mt. Diablo Unified School District school impact fees for new residential development.

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Policy PFS-9.2 would ensure that the City coordinates with MDUSD on long range planning efforts to facilitate MDUSD planning for future growth. As such, the City would work with MDUSD regarding new school land use needs by grade to ensure that new school facilities would accommodate anticipated student generation within Pleasant Hill associated with 2040 General Plan buildout. Further, all future development facilitated by 2040 General Plan is required to pay MDUSD school impact fees which, pursuant to Section 65995(3)(h) of the California Government Code (Senate Bill 50, chaptered August 27, 1998), are “deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization.” Because the 2040 General Plan regulates the provision of school services concurrently with 2040 General Plan development and population growth and with payment of mandatory MDUSD school impact fees by developers for future projects in the City, operational impacts related to provision of school services would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Reduce Construction Criteria Pollutant Emissions (see Section

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a Policy to Suspend Work around Tribal Cultural Resources Identified During Construction (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure GEO-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Protect Paleontological Resources (see Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources, for full mitigation measure text) Mitigation Measure NOI-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Implement Construction Noise Reduction Measures (see Section

3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
Mitigation Measure NOI-3: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy to Implement a Construction Vibration Control Plan (see Section

3.10, Noise, for full mitigation measure text)
O. TRANSPORTATION

1. VMT
Threshold: Would the Project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines sections 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.12-33 – 3.12-37) Explanation:

Construction
Impacts related to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b) are limited to operational impacts. No respective construction impacts would occur because construction is temporary in nature and, while it may marginally generate VMT from construction worker trips or road detours, does not substantially impact regional VMT.

Operation
The Contra Costa Countywide Travel Demand Model was adjusted to reflect the relevant land use growth for with and without 2040 General Plan implementation, as described under Approach to Analysis. Error! Reference source not found. presents the VMT results for the home-based VMT per resident. Error! Reference source not found. presents the results for the home-work VMT per employee.

The analysis indicates that the Pleasant Hill VMT per resident of 12.9 milesper-resident is substantially lower than the Countywide average VMT per resident of 17.2 miles-per-resident in the 2022 baseline and is projected to be substantially lower than the Countywide average VMT per resident in Findings

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2040 for both the existing (2003) General Plan and proposed 2040 General Plan buildout scenarios. Further, the Pleasant Hill Home-Work VMT per employee of 14.3 miles-per-resident is slightly lower than the Countywide average Home-Work VMT per employee of 15.0 miles-per-resident in the 2022 baseline and is projected to be slightly lower than the Countywide average VMT per resident in 2040 for both the existing General Plan and 2040 General Plan buildout scenarios.

Home-Based VMT rates in the County as a whole, and in Pleasant Hill, are projected to decline between 2022 and 2040. Home-Work VMT rates in the County and in Pleasant Hill are projected to stay relatively similar between 2022 and 2040. The Home-Based VMT rates in Pleasant Hill are projected to be less than 85 percent of the baseline Countywide average for both the existing General Plan and 2040 General Plan buildout scenarios. However, the Home-Work VMT rates in Pleasant Hill are projected to be higher than 85 percent of the baseline Countywide average for both the existing General Plan and 2040 General Plan Update Build-out scenarios. The 2040 General Plan Update buildout scenario projects lower Home-Based VMT rates than if the existing General Plan were built out, but the two scenarios have similar Home-Work VMT rate projections.

Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would result in reductions in VMT per capita and VMT per employee from existing conditions, but VMT per employee would still exceed the impact threshold.

Implementing the 2040 General Plan policies listed above under Impact TRA-1 would reduce VMT through promoting accessibility, encouraging non-vehicle transportation modes, and improving access to transit services.

Even with the 2040 General Plan policies to reduce VMT, it is possible that VMT per employee would still remain above applicable thresholds.

Although VMT per capita and employee would be reduced as a result of the 2040 General Plan, which would a beneficial effect, according to OPR guidance on the application of SB 743, a VMT impact is still significant if VMT per capita or employee remains above 15 percent below the existing baseline. Thus, with respect to consistency with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b), the operational VMT impact of the 2040 General Plan would be significant and unavoidable since VMT per employee would be greater than 12.7 in the 2040 General Plan area, and Mitigation Measure TRA-1 would be required.

Available project characteristics modification and TDM measures are included under Mitigation Measure TRA-1. CCTA also includes participation in a CCTA-approved VMT impact fee program and/or VMT mitigation exchange/banking program, but CCTA is still developing such a program. City of Pleasant Hill requirement to participate in this program is also included under Mitigation Measure TRA-1.

Due to unknown future conditions at the time of future projects facilitated Findings

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by the 2040 General Plan and the uncertainty of the effectiveness of VMT reduction measures under Mitigation Measure TRA-1 to guarantee a reduction of VMT below thresholds, operational VMT impacts of the 2040 General Plan would remain significant and unavoidable even with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure
Mitigation Measure TRA-1 Prepare and Implement a TDM Plan with TDM Programs
The CCTA’s Growth Management Program Implementation Guide (Revised February 17, 2021), Appendix F (CCTA Recommended Methodology) describes options for mitigation of VMT impacts. The first two options below apply to development project and plans, and the third applies at a Citywide scale.

1. The project applicant shall modify the project’s characteristics to reduce VMT generated by the project prior to issuance of an occupancy permit. This might involve changing the density or mixture of land uses on the project site, or changing the project’s location to one that is more accessible by transit or other travel modes.

2. The project applicant shall implement transportation demand management (TDM) or physical design measures to reduce VMT generated by the project prior to issuance of an occupancy permit.

3. The City shall participate in a CCTA-approved VMT impact fee program and/or VMT mitigation exchange/banking program, when it is completed and published by CCTA. (Note that CCTA is developing such a program for Contra Costa County.)
The City shall require preparation and implementation of project-level TDM Plans with the following TDM measures for future land use development projects facilitated by the 2040 General Plan that do not meet CCTA screening criteria and thresholds.

Feasible options listed under Error! Reference source not found. to reduce VMT below CCTA thresholds shall be implemented for individual projects facilitated by the 2040 General Plan. VMT reduction measures shall be included at project design review and be reviewed and approved by the City prior to issuance of construction permits.

P. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES

1. Tribal Cultural Resources
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Threshold: Would the Project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
(i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k); or (ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in Public Resources Code section 5024.1?
Finding: Significant and unavoidable. (Draft EIR, pp. 3.4-19 – 3.4-22) Explanation:

Construction
One known historical resource that is listed in NRHP and CRHR and located within Pleasant Hill (the General Plan area) is the Patrick Rogers Farm. In addition to this known historical resource, there may be other yet unidentified resources within the General Plan area that are age-eligible for listing in the NRHP, CRHR, or locally. Although there are no specific development projects associated with the 2040 General Plan, implementation of the proposed plan would guide development extent and distribution within the General Plan area through the year 2040. The 2040 General Plan would facilitate development of residential, commercial, office, institutional, and industrial land uses that could in turn result in the conversion of existing properties and structures to new uses. With relatively limited opportunities for new development in Pleasant Hill, the 2040 General Plan emphasizes infill and reuse development within the City limits and encourages higher-density and mixed-use projects where appropriate.

Construction associated with such potential future development may include site preparation, demolition, and other construction activities.

As noted in the 2040 General Plan, there is some vacant land remaining in the General Plan area, new development opportunities and most new housing would occur on existing underutilized land and through the reuse of existing buildings. Four new land use designations would accommodate increased density within the General Plan area, particularly within the ten focus areas identified throughout the General Plan area, including Downtown Pleasant Hill. In addition, such densification could occur over an 18-year planning period through 2040, during which additional structures would become age-eligible in terms of a potential historical resource. As such, such activities have the potential to result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of identified or potential historical resources.

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Proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element Goal ENV-6 and its associated policies and implementation program, listed below, would reduce potential impacts related to historical resources.

Goal ENV-6 Maintain designated historic sites and structures.

Policy ENV-6.2 Historic Structures. Encourage the maintenance and preservation of historic structures and appropriately designate historic sites and structures.

The goal, policies, and implementation program listed above would reduce the potential for historical resources to be adversely impacted from the development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, but there would still be potential for development to impact historical resources. Implementation of Mitigation Measure CR-1 would reduce impacts to historical resources by identifying and evaluating significant historical resources and managing relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration in compliance with the Standards as applicable. Nonetheless, even with implementation of Mitigation Measure CR-1, existing and eligible historical resources could still be materially impaired by future development that would be carried out under the 2040 General Plan. While Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation would reduce impacts to the greatest extent feasible in cases where compliance with the Standards or avoidance is not possible, legal precedent has established that such a measure cannot mitigate impacts to a level of less than significant, because the loss of historical fabric cannot be Findings

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readily compensated for by commemorative mitigation. Therefore, construction 2040 General Plan impacts related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable with mitigation.

Operation
Given that impacts to historical resources occurs during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impact related to historical resources.

All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report shall be submitted to the City for review and concurrence. If the property is already listed in the NRHP or CRHR, the historical resources evaluation described above shall not be required.
 If historical resources are identified within the site of a proposed development, efforts shall be made to the extent feasible to ensure that impacts are mitigated. Application of mitigation shall generally Findings

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be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the Professional Qualification Standards, unless unnecessary in the circumstances (e.g., preservation in place). In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, the historical resources evaluation report shall also identify and specify the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities.
 Efforts shall be made to the greatest extent feasible to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration of the resource is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.

Application of the Standards shall be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the Professional Qualification Standards. In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, a report identifying and specifying the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities shall be provided to the City for review and concurrence. As applicable, the report shall demonstrate how a project complies with the Standards and be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the issuance of permits.  If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Standards and or avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be established and undertaken. Mitigation measures may include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey (HABS) report, or equivalent. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation and shall generally follow the HABS Level III requirements, including digital photographic recordation, detailed historic narrative report, and compilation of historic research. The documentation shall be completed by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualification Standards and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.

Q. WILDFIRE

1. Response Plans
Threshold: If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the Project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
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Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation:

Construction
Impacts related to wildfire hazard risks affecting people, structures, or emergency response and evacuation plans are limited to operational impacts. No construction impacts would occur.

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urbanized parts of both the CCWD and EBMUD service areas. As discussed under Impact UTIL-2, there would be sufficient water supplies available to serve the 2040 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years. In compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the California Building Standards Code (CBC), development facilitated under both plans would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location, and distribution criteria. Additionally, the 2040 General Plan Safety Element includes proposed Policy PFS-1.6 that requires coordination with water providers to maintain adequate water supply for the community.

Other impacts related to wildfire that would result from specific project development characteristics would be considered when the City reviews those specific development proposals.

In addition, compliance with the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policies would also help reduce potential wildfire risk to people and structures and wildfire exacerbation:

Goal HS-3 Minimize the threat to people, property, and the environment from fire hazards.

HS-3.1Fire Protection District Enhancement. Enhance the ability of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to respond to and suppress fires.

HS-3.2Weed abatement and Fire-Resistant Landscaping. Require annual weed and other fuel abatement and promote the installation of fire-resistant landscaping in new and existing development.

HS-3.4Fire Safety Improvements. Develop guidelines for fire safety improvements for existing and new commercial buildings and encourage upgrades where possible.

HS-3.7Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Ensure the Contra Costa Findings

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County Hazard Mitigation Plan as it applies to Pleasant Hill is up to date with changes in State hazard legislation and lessons learned from recent wildfire related disasters.

HS-3.9Weed and Fuel Abatement. Coordinate with landowners to ensure that weed and other fuel abatement occurs in an effective and timely manner.

Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure HAZ-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy for Construction Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:

The City shall require the following measures during project construction:

4. Construction activities with potential to ignite wildfires shall be prohibited during red-flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service for the site. Example activities include welding Findings

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and grinding outside of enclosed buildings.

5. Fire extinguishers shall be available onsite during project construction. Fire extinguishers shall be maintained to function according to manufacturer specifications. Construction
personnel shall receive training on the proper methods of using a fire extinguisher.

6. Construction equipment powered by internal combustion engines shall be equipped with spark arresters. The spark arresters shall be maintained pursuant to manufacturer
recommendations to ensure adequate performance.

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shall be subject to geotechnical review regarding potential post-fire slope instability. Structural engineering features incorporated into the design of the structure to reduce the risk of damage to the structure from post-fire slope instability shall be recommended by a qualified engineer and approved by the City prior to the building permit approval.

2. Pollutant Concentrations
Threshold: Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, would the Project exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of wildfire? Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.

3. Infrastructure Risks
Threshold: Would the Project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such a roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.

4. Runoff Risks
Threshold: Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, postfire slope instability, or drainage changes? Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.

SECTION V.

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Regarding the Project’s potential to result in cumulative impacts, the City hereby finds as follows:

A. AESTHETICS
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.1-21 – 3.1-22)
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The geographic scope of the cumulative aesthetics analysis is the visible areas within and surrounding the General Plan area. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill and the City of Concord, as well as plans in Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, and Plan Bay Area 2050, in addition to the proposed plan.

Scenic Vistas, Scenic Resources, and Visual Character
Development facilitated by the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 could result in impacts to scenic vistas, scenic resources, and visual quality, although largely visual quality would improve with development replacement of aging buildings and sparsely landscaped areas. Cumulative plans and projects are anticipated to increase development in areas already developed with other uses.

Cumulative plans and projects located in Pleasant Hill, adjacent cities, and Contra Costa County would be required to undergo analysis for impacts related to scenic vistas, scenic resource, and visual quality. These impacts would be mitigated by design guidelines, regulations, policies, and project-specific mitigation measures, thereby limiting damage to existing scenic resources and enhancing the visual quality of areas where development occurs. Nevertheless, Pleasant Hill’s contribution to potential cumulative aesthetic impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. Consequently, future residential development facilitated by cumulative development would not result in significant cumulative environmental impacts in conflict with requirements for preserving scenic vistas, scenic resources in State- or locally designated highways or drives, or visual quality. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to scenic vistas, scenic resources, and visual character would be less than significant.

Light and Glare
Cumulative plans and projects in Pleasant Hill, adjacent cities, and Contra Costa County would be required to undergo analysis for impacts related to light and glare. Such impacts would be mitigated by design guidelines, regulations, policies, and project-specific mitigation measures, thereby limiting damage related to light and glare in and near areas where development occurs. Nevertheless, Pleasant Hill’s contribution to potential cumulative aesthetic impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. Consequently, future development facilitated by cumulative plans and projects would not result in significant cumulative environmental impacts in conflict with requirements for limiting the effects of light and glare. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to light and glare would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
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B. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.3-36 – 3.3-37)
The geographic scope of the cumulative biological, agriculture, and forestry resources analysis is the General Plan area and the immediate vicinities in adjacent cities and in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, in addition to the proposed plan.

Special-status Wildlife and Plant Species
Most of the cumulative plans and project would be located in a highly developed urban area that has limited potential to support special-status wildlife and plant species. There are waterways that provide habitat for riparian species of flora and fauna, the closest of which is Walnut Creek. In addition, there are various open space areas throughout Pleasant Hill and the surrounding area, including Briones Regional Park to the west and Las Juntas Open Space Park and Paso Nogal Park that display grassland and woodland habitats. Riparian areas and the open space grasslands within the plan areas are relatively small and generally isolated areas surrounded by urban development. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist predominantly of general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects.

Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. However, due to the presence of habitat for some special-status species in and near Pleasant Hill, including the California redlegged frog, California tiger salamander, and Alameda whipsnake, these species also have the potential, albeit low, to occur within the cumulative projects area. Additionally, nesting birds protected by the MBTA, and special-status bat species have the potential to occur within the plan area’s surroundings. Standard pre-construction surveys and, if necessary, avoidance procedures would be required for cumulative projects with the potential to impact nesting birds and protected bat species. While there are isolated pockets of natural habitat that can support special-status wildlife and plant species, the urban and built-up nature of the General Plan area as well as the other cumulative plan and projects area precludes the possible adverse cumulative impacts to biological resources related to special-status wildlife and plant species. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to special-status wildlife and plant species would be less than significant.

Sensitive Natural Communities
Pleasant Hill contains several protected aquatic features and smaller riparian areas that would be considered wetlands and/or sensitive natural communities. These features are relatively small and often isolated from each other by large, urban developments. To address possible cumulative impacts to sensitive natural communities and wetlands, the 2040 General Plan includes several policies under proposed 2040 General Plan Goals ENV-2 and ENV-3 to address these issues and to avoid impacts to water resources Findings

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including creeks, rivers, and their associated riparian areas. Most planned developments in the cumulative projects area are designed to address future growth problems, prevent urban sprawl, and minimize developmental impacts to sensitive natural communities. This is accomplished by designing projects to occur in previously developed or highly disturbed areas that the characteristics of lack sensitive natural communities or riparian habitat.

Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist predominantly of general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to sensitive natural communities and associated riparian habitat would be less than significant.

Wildlife Movement Corridors
Pleasant Hill and its surrounding vicinity contain a variety of creeks and open space areas that act as potential movement corridors for fish and wildlife, such as in riparian areas along riverine features such as Grayson or Murderers Creeks. Any future cumulative development that occurs within the General Plan area would have to take into account the potential impact to these corridors. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist of predominantly general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Cumulative development would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. The areas surrounding the potential corridors within Pleasant Hill and its surroundings in the Bay Area are highly developed, further impeding the movement of species out from these areas.

Additionally, the current development plans would adhere to the 2040 General Plan’s open space and creek setback requirements to reduce any potential cumulative impacts to fish and wildlife movement corridors to a less then significant level. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to wildlife movement corridors would be less than significant.

Protected Trees
Development may require the removal or encroachment on certain protected trees as listed by the City of Pleasant Hill ordinances. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consists of predominantly general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. Future projects that occur in or near undeveloped areas may require an arborist report to determine the identity of trees planed for removal or encroachment. As such, the 2040 General Plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects, would be required to adhere to applicable tree ordinances and regulations set by City of Pleasant Hill and nearby Cities of Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, and Moraga as well as regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to protected trees would be less than significant.

Agriculture and Forestry Resources
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Since there are no plan-level impacts related to agriculture and forestry resources, there would also be no cumulative impact related to agriculture and forestry resources.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
C. AIR QUALITY
(Draft EIR, 3.2-44 – 3.2-46)
The geographic scope of the cumulative air quality analysis is the regional air basin, specifically the SFBAAB. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plans.

Criteria Air Pollutants
The SFBAAB is in non-attainment for federal standards of ozone and PM2.5 and in nonattainment for the State standard for ozone, PM2.5, and PM10. The SFBAAB is in attainment of all other federal and State standards. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would generate particulate matter and the ozone precursors (ROG and NOX) in the area during construction and operation. As described under Impact AQ-1, the 2040 General Plan would be consistent with the overall goal of the 2017 Clean Air Plan control measures as development would comply with the latest Title 24 regulations and would increase density in urban areas in proximity to transit, allowing for greater use of alternative modes of transportation. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan does not contain elements that would disrupt or hinder implementation of any 2017 Clean Air Plan control measures. In addition, the 2040 General Plan would support the primary goals of the 2017 Clean Air Plan. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of criteria pollutants in the region. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to a conflict with or obstruction of implementation of the applicable air quality plan.

As described under Impact AQ-2, 2040 General Plan construction would temporarily increase air pollutant emissions, possibly creating localized areas of unhealthy air pollution levels or air quality nuisances. BAAQMD has identified feasible fugitive dust control measures for construction activities because fugitive PM10 and PM2.5 are of concern. These temporary impacts would be mitigated with Mitigation Measure AQ-1. Implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-2 would ensure that individual projects as part of plan buildout do not exceed BAQQMD’s operational criteria pollutant thresholds. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of criteria pollutants in the region; therefore, with mitigation, the project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of a criteria pollutant from construction emissions.

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In addition, as described under Impact AQ-2, the 2040 General Plan would result in an increase of operational VMT that would not proportionately exceed the projected population increase per the BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines for operational emissions from plans. Therefore, impacts from operational criteria pollutant impacts from the 2040 General Plan would be less than significant and the 2040 General Plan’s operational criteria pollutant emissions would not be cumulatively considerable.

Therefore, the overall cumulative impact related to criteria air pollutants would be less than significant.

Toxic Air Contaminants
As identified under Impact AQ-3, 2040 General Plan development would not have a significant impact from TACs with implementation of 2040 General Plan policies and Mitigation Measures AQ-3,AQ-4, and AQ-5. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of the pollutants in the region, e.g., the cancer risk and non-cancer risk thresholds have been set per existing cancer risks in the area and exceeding those thresholds would be considered a cumulative impact. As implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not exceed those thresholds with identified mitigation, it would not expose sensitive receptors to a cumulatively considerable amount of substantial pollutant concentrations from TACs. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to toxic air contaminants would be less than significant.

Odors
As identified under Impact AQ-4, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would not have a significant impact from odor emissions with implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-6. Construction emissions would disperse rapidly with distance, and therefore construction projects in close proximity to one another would not result in combined odors above those analyzed. In addition, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan is not anticipated to contain uses known to result in objectionable odors and therefore cumulative odor impacts from multiple developments would not result in a cumulatively considerable increase in odors. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to odors would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant with mitigation
D. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
See Agriculture and Forestry Resources above.

E. CULTURAL RESOURCES
(Draft EIR, p. 3.4-26 – 3.4-29)
The geographic scope of the cumulative cultural and tribal cultural resources analysis is Findings

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the General Plan area and the adjacent areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and Unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plan.

Historical Resources
The combination of the proposed plan as well as other relevant plans and larger scale projects considered with the proposed plan (see Table 3-1) could potentially involve the cumulative demolition or alteration of historical resources. Although Mitigation Measure CR-1 would be required to reduce impacts to these resources to the maximum extent feasible, cumulative development and redevelopment could nonetheless cause the loss of built-environment historical resources. Alteration or demolition of historical resources remains a possibility throughout the plan area and immediate surroundings with potentially cumulative impacts. As such, the incremental effect of the 2040 General Plan would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable.

Archaeological and Tribal Cultural Resources
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan in conjunction with other nearby past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects listed in Table 3-1 could potentially disturb areas that may contain archaeological and tribal cultural resources. While there is the potential for significant cumulative impacts to archaeological and tribal cultural resources, it is anticipated that potential impacts associated with individual cumulative projects would be addressed and mitigated on a case-by-case basis and would be subject to local and State regulations regarding the protection of such resources. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to archaeological and tribal cultural resources would be less than significant with mitigation.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
F. ENERGY
(Draft EIR, p. 3.6-45)
GHG emissions and global climate change represent cumulative impacts. GHG emissions cumulatively contribute to the significant adverse environmental impacts of global climate change. No single project could generate enough GHG emissions to noticeably change the global average temperature; instead, the GHG emissions from past, present, and future projects and activities have contributed, currently are contributing, and would contribute to global climate change and its associated environmental impacts. And the geographic scope of the cumulative energy analysis is the MCE and PG&E service areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future Findings

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plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3.0, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plan.

GHG Emissions
Cumulative development would generate GHG emissions from vehicle trips, electrical and water use, and other sources. The analysis of GHG emissions is cumulative in nature, as emissions affect the accumulation of GHGs in Earth’s atmosphere. Projects that fall below thresholds are considered to have a less than significant impact, both individually and cumulatively. As indicated under Impact GHG-1, the proposed plan would have a significant and unavoidable impact related to GHG emissions and would conflict with GHG reduction plans, because the City of Pleasant Hill does not currently have a climate action plan and has not outlined methods and policies to meet the long-term 2030 reduction targets set by SB 32 and the 2045 carbon neutrality goal set by AB 1279. Implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would require the City to update its GHG emissions targets to be consistent with latest State and BAAQMD targets as well as to adopt and implement a climate action plan and CEQA GHG emissions threshold by Summer 2024, which in turn would reduce GHG emissions consistent with State GHG reduction targets set by SB 32 and AB 1279. In addition, until a climate action plan and a CEQA GHG threshold are adopted, implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with BAAQMD GHG thresholds. As such, impacts from the 2040 General Plan’s GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable, and the proposed plan would represent a cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.

Energy
Cumulative development would increase demand for energy resources. However, new iterations of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen would require increasingly more energy efficient appliances and building materials that reduce energy consumption in new development. In addition, vehicle fuel efficiency is anticipated to continue improving through implementation of the existing Pavley Bill regulations under AB 1493. Nevertheless, the combined increase in energy consumption from cumulative projects would potentially result in a significant cumulative impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary consumption of energy resources. It is conservatively assumed, therefore, that cumulative development could result in a significant impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources. However, as described under Impact GHG-2, 2040 General Plan development would be constructed in accordance with the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen. Policies would emphasize alternative means of transportation, such as bicycles and walking, and would provide development in close proximity to transit stations. Additionally, infill development may lower VMT due to the proximity to offices and commercial uses. Therefore, as the 2040 General Plan would not result in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, the contribution to a significant cumulative energy impact is not cumulatively considerable.

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Plans and projects throughout the State are required to adhere to applicable renewable energy and energy efficiency laws, programs, and policies such as California’s RPS, AB 1493, and Title 24 standards. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to consistency with renewable energy and energy reduction plans would be less than significant. As discussed under Impact GHG-3, 2040 General Plan development would be consistent with the energy-related goals and policies of the Statewide plans and regulations. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan would not contribute to a cumulative impact with respect to consistency with renewable energy and energy efficiency plans.

The overall cumulative impact related to energy would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
G. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
(Draft EIR, p. 3.5-30)
The geographic scope of the cumulative geology/soils and mineral resources analysis is the General Plan area and the surrounding vicinity. Adverse effects associated with many geologies and soils tend to be localized; therefore, an area generally within a 0.25-mile radius would be the area most affected by activities in combination with the proposed plan.

In addition, adverse effects associated with paleontological resource impacts tend to be localized, because the integrity of any given resource depends on what occurs only in the immediate vicinity around that resource, such as disruption of soils. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in surrounding cities in addition to the proposed plan.

Seismic-related Hazards
Cumulative projects, including the proposed plan, have the potential to experience strong to violent groundshaking from earthquakes. Cumulative projects listed in Table 3-1 would be exposed to the similar ground shaking hazards and would be subject to the same requirements. All cumulative projects would adhere to the provisions of the California Building Code, and policies of the 2040 General Plan and Pleasant Hill Municipal Code and surrounding city general plans and municipal codes, reducing potential hazards associated with seismic ground shaking and ground failure. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to seismic-related hazards would be less than significant.

Soil-related Hazards
Soil conditions associated with the proposed plan, such as differential settlement, expansive soils, and soil creep, are specific to the plan area and generally do not contribute to a cumulative effect. Some or all other cumulative projects may have similar conditions, but they also would not contribute to a general geologic or soil cumulative effect. The proposed plan would be subject to all City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan policies, Findings

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municipal code policies, and the CBC reducing soil-related hazard impacts. Other current and future development/redevelopment projects in the region would similarly be required to adhere to standards and practices that include stringent geologic and soil-related hazard mitigations. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to soil-related hazards would be less than significant.

Unique Geological Feature and Paleontological Resources Construction activities associated with development of cumulative plans and projects in or within the vicinity of the General Plan area may have the potential to encounter undiscovered geologic resources and paleontological resources. The potential impacts to paleontological resources of each of those projects would be on an individual basis, depending on their location and construction activities, rather than cumulative. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to paleontological resources and unique geologic features would be less than significant.

Mineral Resources
Since there is no plan-level impact related to mineral resources, there would also be no cumulative impact related to mineral resources.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
H. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
See Energy above.

I. HAZARDOUS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.7-45 – 3.7-46)
The geographic scope of the cumulative hazards, hazardous materials, and wildfire analysis is the General Plan area and the vicinity of the plan area. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill and surrounding areas in addition to the proposed plan.

Hazardous Materials Exposure Risk
In general, exposure to hazardous materials may cause localized adverse effects. A combination of federal, State, and local regulations limit or minimize the potential for exposure to hazardous materials. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consists predominantly of general plan buildouts, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. The types and sizes of development anticipated in the City of Pleasant Hill would not involve large quantities of hazardous materials or activities that transport or handle hazardous materials. In addition, there are no land uses in the vicinity of the plan area that Findings

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are known to utilize large quantities of hazardous materials or involve hazardous activities.

However, cumulative plans and projects may include demolition of structures that have the potential to contain hazardous building materials. Building materials may contain asbestos and lead-based paint. To address potential release of hazardous materials, the City would require applicants to assess structures and impose standard mitigation (required testing, removal, and proper disposal) to minimize release prior to any demolition. Therefore, there would be a less than significant cumulative impact associated with hazardous materials exposure risk.

Hazards and Emergency Response
The City of Pleasant Hill contains main arterial streets that would act as the most likely routes out of the City and provide access to I-680 and SR-24. The areas surrounding the plan area are characterized primarily by urban development, which is not immediately adjacent to any wildlands. The cumulative projects, listed in Table 3-1, would result in predominantly in-fill development. Planned uses are contemplated in the City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan and would not significantly increase emergency services, including wildfires. Furthermore, all construction would adhere to the City Building Codes that are designed to minimize the potential for uncontrolled fires. Once development is proposed, the City would assess the needs for fire protection services and would inform efforts to improve or expand needed facilities. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would increase population, including employees. Future development in Pleasant Hill and the surrounding area would result in increased population and could alter the existing street network. However, cumulative development would comply with emergency access requirements as a condition of construction. Cumulative development would also be required to comply with the respective city’s regulations and policies regarding emergency access. Trucks necessary to construct cumulative development would utilize truck routes designated by the respective cities and would not conflict with vehicle traffic along city streets. If cumulative development would redesign city streets in such a way that would significantly impact emergency access, they would be required by the respective city to mitigate such impacts. In addition, driveways associated with cumulative development would be constructed in compliance with the California Fire Code and other applicable regulations related to emergency access. Furthermore, the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan would not result in permanent road closures, nor impede an established emergency access route, nor interfere with emergency response requirements. Therefore, there would be a less than significant cumulative impact associated with hazards and emergency response.

Wildfire Hazards and Emergency/Evacuation Response
A combination of federal, State, and local regulations limit or minimize the potential for exposure to wildfires by reducing the amount of development in wildland urban interface areas, ensuring new development is developed according to California Building Code and California Fire Code, and incorporating requirements for fire-safe construction into the land use planning. The types and sizes of development anticipated in Table 3-1 may be located in designated High Fire Hazard Zones. In addition, plans and projects would be located in areas that are already developed, do not contain significant levels of dry fuel susceptible to ignition, or significantly high average wind speed. Furthermore, cumulative Findings

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plans and projects would result in predominantly in-fill development and would not significantly increase emergency services beyond the existing service area. Furthermore, all cumulative project construction would adhere to the City Building Codes that are designed to minimize the potential for uncontrolled fires. Adherence to City Building Codes would ensure that California Fire Code standards such as automatic sprinkler systems are included in development. In addition, as part of project approval for the cumulative projects, the City would assess the need for fire protection services, which would inform efforts to improve or expand needed facilities. In addition, future development would comply with emergency access requirements as directed by the City and fire department regulations. Furthermore, the cumulative projects would not result in permanent road closures, nor impede an established emergency or evacuation access route, such as I-680 and SR-24, or interfere with emergency response requirements established by the City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan. As described in Impact HAZ-5, the proposed plan would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to the exposure of people and structures to wildfire risks. While mitigation is provided, it is not possible to prevent a significant risk of wildfires or fully protect people and structures from the risks of wildfires. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to wildfire exposure risk is significant and unavoidable.

Aviation-related Hazards and Excessive Noise Exposure
Compliance with development standards as set forth by the Contra Costa County ALUCP regarding types of development allowed and maximum stories allowed would reduce potential cumulative projects impacts related to aviation related hazards. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan is not expected to significantly increase airport activities and, therefore, airport noise. Existing requirements for airports and proposed 2040 General Plan policies HS-6.1 and HS-6.2 would reduce the noise impacts of airport activity on residents and workers in the plan area. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to aviation-related hazards and excessive noise exposure would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
J. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.8-30 – 3.8-32)
The geographic scope of the cumulative hydrology and water quality analysis is the surface area of the Walnut Creek Watershed system shown in Figure 3.8-1 and the Ygnacio Valley Groundwater Basin shown on Figure 3.8 2. Potential impacts associated with surface water and drainage would generally be site-specific and confined within the stormwater drainage and management areas of Pleasant Hill. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1, Cumulative Plans and Larger-scale Projects List, which lists the relevant plans and largerscale projects considered in conjunction with the proposed plan (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis).

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Surface Water
Table 3-1 identifies other general plan buildouts that direct the type and intensity of land use and development within specific areas, consisting primarily of residential and commercial projects, none of which overlap with the General Plan area or are within Pleasant Hill. As with the proposed plan, cumulative plans and projects would generally occur as infill and would not develop previously undisturbed areas or substantially change drainage patterns of the area. Additionally, regulations protecting surface water would be equally applicable to cumulative projects as the proposed plan, including the NPDES program which requires implementation of SWPPPs with BMPs to minimize or avoid potential impacts to surface waters. Due to the site-specific nature of surface water impacts, the lack of site overlap between cumulative projects and the proposed plan, and the common applicability of surface water regulations, potential cumulative impacts associated with surface flows and drainage would be less than significant.

Groundwater
Potential impacts to groundwater could occur through direct pumping and consumption of groundwater, or through indirect interference with groundwater recharge. However, due to the existing developed nature of the General Plan area, and the fact that neither the proposed plan nor cumulative projects would develop previously undisturbed areas or substantially change drainage patterns of the area (see “Surface Water” above), cumulative impacts associated with interference with groundwater recharge would be less than significant. In addition, no cumulative impacts associated with direct consumption of groundwater would occur, because water supply for the proposed plan would be provided primarily by the CCWD, as well as Martinez Water District and EBMUD in some areas of the western portion of Pleasant Hill, and neither the CCWD, Martinez Water District, nor EBMUD neither manages groundwater nor uses groundwater to meet any local demands (refer to Section 3.8.2, Environmental Setting, under “Groundwater Basin Hydrology”).

As discussed under Impact HYD-2, groundwater activities conducted by these agencies involve conjunctive use and groundwater recharge programs that are designed to manage groundwater sustainably.

Water Quality
Development facilitated by cumulative plans and projects would comply with policies related to water quality, including through implementation of project-specific SWPPPs as applicable, including with BMPs to minimize or avoid water quality degradation from construction and other ground-disturbing activities. As discussed in Section 3.8.3, Environmental Setting, under “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System,” the City of Pleasant Hill is a member agency of the CCCWP, which assists municipalities and other agencies in Contra Costa County with implementation of the NPDES Permit; the proposed plan as well as cumulative plans listed in Table 3-1 are subject to the same requirements of the Clean Water Act, and would be implemented in compliance with NPDES and SWPPP requirements, through the CCCWP.

In addition, the proposed plan would not adversely affect water quality by increasing the Findings

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extent of permeable surfaces in the area. While development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan could increase impervious surfaces throughout the General Plan area, LID features associated with new development and redevelopment would minimize potential to increase impervious surfaces and adversely affect infiltration and runoff; such features may include bioretention systems, swales, green roofs, infiltration systems, and permeable pavers. This would in turn facilitate infiltration of surface water to the subsurface and help filter contaminants out of surface runoff as it infiltrates soil to underlying groundwater resources. The potential for cumulative impacts related to water quality is considered unlikely. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to water quality would be less than significant.

Flooding
The cumulative projects would likely include LID features as part of proposed infill development and redevelopment and, thus, would increase the extent of permeable surfaces that would increase the rate and extent of infiltration of surface water runoff, thereby reducing its velocity. Due to the site-specific nature of flooding impacts and the infill characteristics of the proposed plan as well as the other cumulative plans and projects, cumulative impacts related to potential for flooding would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
K. LAND USE AND PLANNING
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.9-21)
The geographic scope of the cumulative land use/planning and population/housing analysis is the City of Pleasant Hill and adjacent city and airport planning areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects located in Pleasant Hill (in addition to the proposed plan) and the City of Concord listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis), as well as plans in Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, and Plan Bay Area 2050.

Community Division
Development facilitated by the proposed plan in conjunction with the cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would result in the development of residential, retail, office, hotel, industrial, and transportation uses. The cumulative plans and projects do not propose the type of large or linear construction that could reduce mobility within an existing community and the surrounding area and would occur in an urban environment. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential to divide an existing community would be less than significant.

Land Use Plan, Policy, or Regulation Consistency
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Land use decisions for both the proposed plan and for the other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 are made at the City level. Development within the City of Pleasant Hill is governed by the Pleasant Hill General Plan and Pleasant Hill Municipal Code, which ensure logical and orderly land use development and require discretionary review to ensure that projects do not result in land use environmental impacts due to inconsistency with the General Plan and other regulations. Cumulative development projects in Pleasant Hill would be required to demonstrate consistency with the proposed 2040 General Plan and applicable codes, ordinances, and policies. This would ensure that these projects comply with applicable planning regulations. The proposed plan has been determined to be consistent with the City’s policy. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential conflict with a land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect would be less than significant.

Population Growth
Cumulative projects listed in Table 3-1 in conjunction with the proposed plan would add residents to the cities of Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, and Moraga, unincorporated Contra Costa County, and the greater Bay Area. The CDF estimates that the total population of Pleasant Hill was 34,026 as of January 1, 2022. The development of other cumulative plans and projects include residential projects that would add additional housing units resulting in additional residents. This increase in population would be in addition to the approximately 45,470 residents associated with the proposed plan. The proposed plan estimates Pleasant Hill at buildout to have a population of 80,145 people by 2040. Because the proposed plan is designed for planned and orderly growth, and residential development would be completed in accordance with State law, development facilitated by and in accordance with the proposed plan would not directly or indirectly induce substantial unplanned growth in Pleasant Hill.

As such, while other cumulative plans and projects would result in direct population growth, implementation of the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative projects, would result in a less than significant cumulative impact associated with direct population growth, as this growth is planned for by the City of Pleasant Hill. Furthermore, cumulative plans and projects are expected to generate employment opportunities. Total employment in Pleasant Hill was 17,600 in 2022. The cumulative plans and projects are estimated to increase employment, and the proposed plan is expected to increase jobs in Pleasant Hill by 2,200. Employees associated with the cumulative plans and projects would be expected to be drawn from the local labor force. The proposed plan is not expected to employ new employees. As such, there would not be substantial indirect population growth associated with implementation of the cumulative plans and projects. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to direct and indirect population growth would be considered less than significant.

Population/Housing Displacement
Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 in conjunction with implementation of the proposed plan would add residential units to Pleasant Hill. The plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would not remove existing housing and rather would add housing units. Furthermore, the development facilitated by the proposed plan would add Findings

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approximately 14,550 housing units to the Pleasant Hill housing stock. In addition, implementation of the proposed plan would not require the removal of any homes and would not displace any people. As such, implementation of the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects, would not displace housing or people such that would necessitate the construction of additional housing elsewhere.

Therefore, no cumulative impact related to displacement of housing or people would occur.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant.

L. MINERAL RESOURCES
See Geology above.

M. NOISE
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.10-40 - 3.10-41)
The geographic scope of the cumulative noise analysis is the City of Pleasant Hill and adjacent city and airport areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (see Chapter 3.0, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, unincorporated Contra Costa County, and at the Buchanan Field Airport in addition to the proposed plan.

Construction Noise
Construction noise generated by the 2040 General Plan, in combination with construction activities for other cumulative projects that may be constructed simultaneously could, without mitigation, substantially increase noise levels in the vicinity of future projects.

Mitigation measures have been identified to help reduce noise from construction equipment from 2040 General Plan projects. Therefore, unless construction of cumulative projects, including those proposed under development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, occur in close proximity to each other and simultaneously, noise from individual construction projects have a small chance of combining to create significant cumulative impacts.

Although this scenario is unlikely, and mitigation measures would be implemented to the extent feasible, the potential remains for a cumulatively considerable increase in construction noise from 2040 General Plan projects. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to construction noise would be significant and unavoidable.

Operational Stationary Noise
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would introduce new stationary noise sources to the ambient noise environment in the vicinity of the plan area, including new mechanical ventilation equipment. These sources may combine with other nearby cumulative projects to result in higher noise levels. However, operational noise from these Findings

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sources is localized and rapidly attenuates within an urbanized setting due to the effects of intervening structures and topography that block the line of sight and due to other noise sources closer to receptors that obscure project-related noise. Implementation of city municipal code noise standards would ensure that noise from new stationary sources as part of the cumulative projects would be within acceptable levels. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to operational stationary noise would be significant and unavoidable.

Operational Mobile Noise
As discussed in Impact NOI-2, roadway vehicle noise increases from development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would contribute to a noise level increase that exceeds impact criteria and would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, in combination with mobile noise for other cumulative projects, the cumulative impact related to operational mobile (roadway vehicle) noise would be significant and unavoidable.

Noise Land Use Compatibility
Proposed 2040 General Plan Policy HS-7.1 would require new development to be designed and constructed to meet noise level standards, and Policy HS-7.3 would reduce noise from transportation facilities that result in roadway vehicle noise. These policies would ensure that future sensitive noise receptors in Pleasant Hill that are exposed to combined cumulative transportation noise levels associated with roadway and aviation noise would not exceed noise levels that the City considers acceptable for such proposed land uses.

Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential inconsistency with noise land use compatibility standards would be less than significant.

Groundborne Vibration and Noise
Although there could be other cumulative projects simultaneously under construction near a development project facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, the potential for construction groundborne vibration and noise impacts is within relatively close distances (e.g., within approximately 25 feet for a vibratory roller). Since no two construction cumulative projects would both be within 25 feet of a given sensitive structure, cumulative groundborne vibration and noise impacts would be less than significant.

Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
N. POPULATION AND HOUSING
See Land Use and Planning above.

O. PUBLIC SERVICES
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.11-25 – 3.11-26)
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The geographic scope of the cumulative public services analysis is the service areas of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD), the Pleasant Hill Police Department (PHPD), Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), and the Contra Costa County Library system. In addition, the geographic scope of the cumulative recreation analysis consists of the local community and regional parks within the boundary of the City of Pleasant Hill and include parks and recreational facilities managed by Contra Costa County. Because of differences in the nature of the public service topical areas, they are discussed separately. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Lafayette, Clayton, Danville, Pittsburg, and Contra Costa County, in addition to the proposed plan.

Fire Protection Facilities
The CCCFPD service area consists of the jurisdictional limits of Contra Costa County, which encompasses approximately 304 square miles. Cumulative development in Pleasant Hill would result in predominantly residential and commercial development. These types of development would increase the permanent resident and daytime population of the City.

The increase in population would result in an increased demand for fire protection facilities. However, the need for fire protection services is gradual as development occurs.

To help offset the increased demand, the cumulative plans and projects would be required to pay all applicable review and development impact fees to the CCCFPD. Cumulative developments would be in compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the CBC and would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location and distribution criteria, automated sprinkler systems, and fire-resistant building materials. For these reasons, the cumulative projects would not result in the need to construct new or expand existing fire protection or emergency medical services facilities beyond those anticipated for expected population growth. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to fire protection facilities would be less than significant.

Police Protection Facilities
The PHPD service area is within the city limits of Pleasant Hill. Cumulative development in Pleasant Hill would result in predominantly residential and commercial development.

These types of development would increase the permanent resident and daytime population. The increase in population and development would result in an increased demand for police protection facilities. Cumulative plans and projects within the service area of the PHPD would be reviewed for impacts on police protection services, would be required to address any potential impacts with mitigation, and would need to provide adequate emergency access for police services with proper signage and lighting. Because demand for law enforcement services is highly dependent on a number of factors that vary substantially by project (clientele, hours of operation, crime prevention measures, etc.), it is unlikely that there would be substantial overlap in demand that would result such that new facilities are necessary. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to police protection facilities would be less than significant.

School Facilities
Findings

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Pleasant Hill is served by MDUSD with a service area including Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and Concord; portions of Martinez, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek; and surrounding unincorporated communities. Cumulative projects would result in predominantly residential and commercial development; residential development would increase permanent population, increasing demand for school facilities. Implementation of the 2040 General Plan, in addition to the General Plans of surrounding cities including but not limited to Lafayette, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek, would also add residential units to their respective plan areas and would result in an increase in schoolaged residents. Although cumulative projects would be required to pay development impact fees towards school operation, construction of cumulative school facilities could result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to air quality, noise, cultural resources, and paleontological resources. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to school facilities would be significant and unavoidable.

Library Facilities
The geographic scope for the cumulative analysis of other public facilities analysis is the service area of the Contra Costa County Library system, which includes the existing Pleasant Hill library. Cumulative plans and projects, mainly the residential projects, may also result in the increase in library use. Contra Costa County Libraries could need to incrementally increase their library services to the cities of Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Lafayette, Clayton, Danville, Pittsburg, and Contra Costa County through the year 2040, which could in turn require the construction of new facilities to accommodate subsequent library visitors and facility space. The proposed plan in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would facilitate development in areas that are currently developed; therefore, construction of new Contra Costa County Libraries facilities, if required, would likely occur on property previously disturbed or developed.

This would reduce the potential of adverse construction impacts associated with construction of new or expanded library facilities. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to library facilities would be less than significant.

Recreation and Park Facilities
The implementation of the proposed plan in conjunction with the cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would result in residential and commercial developments in and near Pleasant Hill. Such cumulative development would be expected to permanently increase residents, which would increase cumulative demand for park facilities. The greater use of parks and recreational facilities in Pleasant Hill could result in physical deterioration of existing parks. However, population growth is only one factor in determining whether parks and recreational facilities would deteriorate through increased use. Other variables include park design, age, infrastructure, and park use. To further offset demand, the cumulative plans and projects would be required to demonstrate compliance with applicable design guidelines established in the proposed 2040 General Plan. In addition, cumulative development would be subject to parkland dedication requirements or in-lieu parkland fees. Pleasant Hill also continues to retain, enhance, and expand park and recreation facilities throughout the City limits, as well as continues to assess its current and future park needs. With payment of park impact fees by cumulative development, there Findings

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Pleasant Hill City CouncilMay 18, 2023

Pleasant Hill City Council
May 18, 2023